LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 
Shelf .i£:.!I5. 






UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 



BEING A 



General and Instructive Work on Artistic Angling, 



BY THE LATE 

DAVID FOSTEK. 

COMPILED BY HIS SONS, AND EDITED BY 

WM. C. HAKKIS, 

EDITOR OF THE " AMERICAN ANGLES. ' 



ILLUSTRATED. 





NEW YORK: 

ORANGE JUDD COMPANY, 

751 BROADWAY. 

1883. 



5 V^ >A 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in ifae year 1883, by the 

ORANGE JTJDD COMPANY, 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



THE EDITOE'S PEEFACE. 



David Foster, the author of " The Scientific Angler," 
was born at Burton-on-Trent, England, September 22d, 
1815, and at the date of his recent death, was known 
wherever a salmon, trout or grayling fly is thrown in 
the kingdom of Great Britain, as the Izaak Walton of 
the nineteenth century. This angling patronymic, joined 
to that of " Old David,'' by which he was more famil- 
iarly known, indicates the esteem and affection in which 
he was held by English lovers of the angle. He was 
certainly one of the most observant and practical rod- 
sters that England, where the cultured angler is an 
artist, has ever produced. The book before us is an 
attestation of this fact. 

My province, as editor, has been confined to foot 
notes, more or less copious, in which I have endeav- 
ored to make plain to the American reader the ang- 
ling phrases, terms and tackle used in England, giving, 
so far as practicable, American analogues of the English 
fish. The text of the author remains untouched, with 

the exception of the exclusion of a few paragraphs on 
3 



4 THE EDITOK S PKEFACE. 

fishing for barbel, bream, and tench, and the chapter 
on fish culture — the reader would have found in the 
former but little of value, and the latter is far behind 
the present advanced status of fish culture in America. 
It will be noted that the foot notes, which are all 
my own, are free from critical comments on the author's 
views; from which I have designedly abstained, although 
not a few paragraphs of the text are in conflict with the 
approved practice of the best American anglers. 

WM. C. HARRIS. 

New Yobk, 1883. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Chapter I. 
The Habits and Haunts of Fish 7 

Chapter II. 
The Habits and Haunts of Fish ( Continued) 32 

Chapter IH. 
Bottom Fishing (General) . - . 44 

Chapter IV. 
Bottom Fishing {Continued). - 59 

C ha pter V. 

Bottom Fishing (Continued) 64 

Chapter VI. 

Pike Fishing ........ 70 

Chapter VII. 

Spinning for Trout - 83 

Chapter VIII. 
Worm Fishing for Trout... 92 

Chapter IX. 

Grub Fishing for Grayling 97 

5 



6 CONTENTS. 

Chapter X. 

Piscatorial Entomology 101 

Chapter XI. 

On Fly Making 123 

Chapter XII. 

Fly Fishing for Trout and Grayling 145 

Chapter XIII. 

Live Fly and Beetle Fishing ..182 

Chapter XTV. 

Notes on the Month for Fly Fishing 185 

Chapter XV. 

Salmon and Sea Trout Fishing 224 

Chapter XVI. 
About Hooks 240 



THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLEE. 



CHAPTER I. 



THE HABITS AND HAUNTS OF FISH. 

POWER OF VISION, HEARING, ETC., POSSESSED BY FISH.* PERI- 
ODIC MOVEMENTS AND HABITS OF SALMON, BROWN TROUT, 
CHARR, GRAYLING, AND PIKE. 

The habits of fish depend in no small degree on the 
power of their senses, and to these we will briefly allude 
before dealing with the subject in detail. The first 
faculty to claim our attention is that of 

Sight. — The clearness with which a grayling, lying 

* The subject of the senses of fishes is the cause of much curious 
comment and speculation among angling naturalists, who do not wil- 
lingly consent that the class Pisces shall be placed upon a plane below 
that of the insects. The belief that fishes possess qualities which 
reach a standard beyond the instinct of self-preservation has recently 
gained in strength and interest, owing to the increased facilities that 
fish culture has given us to observe their habits. It is conceded by 
naturalists that certain insects, and many of the lower animals, have the 
power of imparting mutual intelligence by processes unknown to us. 
The little ants hobnobbing with each other ; the cooing dove wooing its 
mate vocally ; the hen clucking her brood under protecting wings, are 
familiar instances of vocal intercourse among insects and birds, and no 
one who has watched the minnows of a shallow pool, has failed to see 
equally sure indications that fishes have a way of their own in com- 
municating with each other. I have often seen them dart swiftly to- 
wards each other, putting nose to nose, and in a moment or two scull 
leisurely away with what looked to me like a self-congratulatory flirt of 
the tail, as if the matter communicated was of the utmost importance 
to fish life in general. 

(?) 



8 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLER. 

at a depth of eight or ten feet of water, can distinguish 
a small speck of a midge, invisible almost to the human 
eye, is often a matter of comment and surprise. All 
fish, however, are not equally well endowed in this re- 
spect; but it may be safely affirmed that their organs of 
sight are quite as well adapted to their native element — 
water — as arc those of birds and respiratory animals 
generally to the atmosphere. But, on the other hand, 
experience tends to prove that the more suited the eye of 
the fish may be to his particular element, the more in- 
distinct is his vision beyond it. "We have an instance of 
this in the grayling, which, although more cautious and 
timid, and possessed of keener visual organs than the 
trout, will rise much nearer the rodster, and is not so 
easily disturbed and affrighted. The inferiority of a 
fish's perception of objects in the air, as compared with 
what is m or upon the surface of the water, partly arises 
from the fact that the eye adapts itself to the medium 
through which the rays of light arc transmitted. We 
have frequently observed the pupil of a fish's eye con- 
tract considerably in the course of a second or two after 
it has been taken from the water, from the same princi- 
ple which causes the pupil of the eye of the domestic cat 
to expand or contract as the light diminishes or increases. 
Observation shows that it is the moving object that 
frightens the fish.* We have seen trout suddenly cease 
feeding and return to their accustomed retreat upon our 
merely raising an arm; and when their "holt" has 
proved to be near the opposite bank, and we have been 

* Fish arc startled by shadows to a degree hardly understood or 
valued, as cause and effect, by the angler in his search for a successful 
6Core. A moving dark line reflected by an uplifted arm. or by an 
overhanging rod, or the dense and sharply-cut shadow cast by the 
pier of abridge, will cause them to sheer off affrighted; especially in 
the latter instance, when shad, in their upward swim to their spawning 
grounds, have been seen to turn tail-fin and dart down stream pell-mell, 
as if a demon shark was anion? them. 



THE HABITS AND TIAUNTS OF PISH. 9 

in full view, in clear relief upon a high hank, on keeping 
perfectly stationary for fifty to seventy minutes,* they 
have again ventured into the open to take our fly. From 
a constant repetition of convincing experiments, we have 
been led to infer that the crystalline and various other 
humors of a fish's eye are capable of reflecting only a 
vague and distorted image of any object that may be 
even a yard from the water's surface. We have stood 
over the center of a stream, upon a narrow plank, placed 
within a few inches of the surface of the water, perfectly 
motionless, just as the fish have turned out of their 
usual haunts to poise near the surface, and feed on the 
flies which have suddenly become plentiful. So long as 
our perpendicular position was maintained, the fish rose 
fearlessly all around to our very feet, but the least move- 
ment had the effect of affrighting all the fish in the im- 
mediate vicinity. 

But, notwithstanding all this, it must not be forgot- 
ten that the organ of sight is the most important in 
their possession, and not only their food supply, but 
their very existence is dependent upon its proper exer- 
cise. True it is that constant practice, in a measure, 
develops their ocular faculties; and as acuteness of vis- 
ion increases the natural timidity of the trout, so surely 
does he gradually decline surface feeding, preying upon 
fry and the smaller yearling fish, as also upon the larva 
of aquatic insects, etc., thus showing reliance on his 
greater powers of discernment in his own element. In 
comparatively clear and still water, the old corpulent 
denizens of the limpid depths thus exhibit the most pro- 
voking discretion, defying frequently the rodster's best 
efforts to allure. 

The superior power of vision the fish has in its own 

*This is certainly a misprint, for we have noted that trout will return, 
under like circumstances, to their feed, after a lapse of from three to 
five minutes. 



10 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

element* is partly due to the fact that light, like sound, 
on penetrating water suffers an alteration, both of the 
rate of progress and the direction of the rays. Kefrac- 
tion enables the fish to see an approaching or moving 
object, even when a projecting bank or overhanging rock 
or other substance intervenes. Mr. Ronalds illustrates 
this by a familiar scientific experiment with a coin and 
vessel of water, by which the former, when placed in 
the bottom of the latter, is seen at an acute angle, when 
the side of the vessel intercepts a straight line between 
the coin and the eye of the spectator. ^Ye have known 
cultivators of domesticated trout, who, being unacquaint- 
ed with the laws of refraction, have attributed this to 
various other causes. 

Sense of Hearing. — That trout are not wholly de- 
void of this sense is now a well established axiom. There 
is nothing about the exterior of the head of a fresh-water 
fish that would indicate that it is provided with an ear. 
Our leading physiologists and anatomists assert, never- 
theless, that fish and other aquatic creatures have the 
internal organ in a state of perfection. In animals of 
higher grade the mechanical apparatus of hearing con- 
sists of two connected portions, external and internal. 
Fish appear to have the internal part, which is in direct 
communication with the brain. The organs of hearing 
possessed by terrestrial animals are designed for the 
reception of the more delicate vibrations of the atmos- 

* A few summers ago, when fishing for black bass, using a small gray 
and black palmer as a point fly, I made a cast at the tail of a shallow 
reach, just above an old fish weir. The water, for a stretch of at least 
fifty yards, was not more than two feet deep. As my fly touched the 
water, a whistle from a fishing chum attracted my attention, and I 
glanced up stream. At that moment I saw the swirl of a bass thirty 
feet away, and immediately after the wake, as the fish "struck a bee- 
line" for ray fly. The pluck was instantaneous aud sure, and in a few 
moments a two-pounder was creeled. This incident convinced me that 
the sense of sight in fishes, when exercised in their natural element, Is 
much greater than that with which they are credited. 



THE HABITS AND HAUNTS OF FISH. 11 

phere, while those of the fish are better adapted to the 
stronger pulsations of a denser element. Thus, though 
the inhabitants of the waters are insensible to atmos- 
pheric sound, they are very susceptible to vibrations of 
the earth which are communicated to the water, and are 
undistinguishable by us. 

Who has not observed the terrified agitation of the 
fish, as far as the eyes can penetrate the water, at the 
least perceptible vibration caused by the stamp of the 
foot on the bottom of a punt or boat? We have frequently 
ourselves seen fish clear the water altogether in ponds and 
lakes at a distance of forty yards from the point or focus 
of concussion. That sound is not communicated only by 
the. external ear may be seen by the following experiment: 
Take an ordinary tuning fork, strike it, and take the full 
volume of the sound quite close to the ear, then strike 
again and place the handle against or between the teeth, 
when, though at some distance from the ear, the sound 
will not be found to be diminished. Vibrations vary in 
intensity according to the degree of solidity and density 
of the conductive bodies. Thus, we are told that in the 
atmosphere sound travels at the rate of something like 
one thousand feet per second on bright, clear days, but 
eleven hundred in murky, dull and hazy weather. In 
water, however, sound travels very much quicker, being 
at the rate of five thousand feet per second, and where 
wood is the medium quicker still, sixteen thousand feet 
per second being its rate of progress. If, therefore, a 
solid substance is the conductor of sound, it naturally 
follows that the sound will be more distinct. The opera- 
tor upon the violin has a keener perception of the vari- 
ous strains of the instrument than the ordinary listener, 
since wood is the sole conductive body in his case. The 
organ of hearing being enclosed in the hard case of the 
head is, in the case of fishes, susceptible therefore to no 
slight variation of sounds; no noise that does not occa- 



12 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

sion a vibration of the element which they inhabit reaches 
them. Thus the effects of approaching heavy foot-falls 
will be perceived, when a loud acclamation will have no 
visible effect on them. A learned doctor of divinity, 
once known to the writer, used to include in his category 
of angling requisites a gigantic musical-box, which, for 
bottom fishing, it was supposed, served the double pur- 
pose of being a convenient seat and a charming substi- 
tute for ground bait. So far as the latter object was 
concerned, the effect was purely imaginary, as, to the 
impartial mind, results amply testified.* 

We have now dealt Avith the two chief organs possessed 
by fish, namely, those of sight and hearing, a knowledge 
of both of which is highly important to the angler. With 
regard to the senses of taste and smell, we may briefly 
state that from what we have been able to ascertain they 
are very slightly developed; that of taste we do not be- 
lieve is possessed in the faintest degree by the majority 
of fish.f Roach, grayling, and the smaller species of deli- 

* It is conceded by observant anglers, that fish hear no sound origi- 
nating in the air ; but step, as lightly as you may, upon the margin of a 
stream and the fish will scatter like shot from the shallows where they 
are feeding or frolicking. The larger the fish and the less the depth 
of water the greater and wilder the scattering will be. Security seems 
to lie with them in the relative depth of the pools, as the light steps of 
the angler only disturb them in a foot or two of water. A fish lying in 
a hole three or four feet deep, close to the banks is not perturbed by 
any ordinary concussion. 

fin this connection intelligent anglers are apt to query : "Granted 
that fishes are only slightly, if at all, endowed with the sense of taste or 
smell, why do trout, black bass and other fish reject the artificial lure if 
the hook is not instantly fastened in their jaws or throat?" 1 answer : 
Fresh- water fishes, such as trout, bass, etc., feed as a rule upon soft food. 
The shell of the Crustacea of our inland lakes and streams is edibly ten- 
der, and suggests no anomaly to the feel of the tongue or jaw of the 
fish. Not so with the fatal hook. Its gritty impact with the closing 
jaw or tongue suggests a foreign subtance. Jt is foul food and as such 
is instantly rejected. Again, the sheep'shead, drum and other salt- 
water species, feeding upon clams and muscles, crunching the shells 
with their massive teeth and strong jaws do not eject the lure ; on the 



THE HABITS AND HAUNTS OF PISH. 13 

cate organism we have found display fastidiousness in 
this respect, but the mass of voracious fish we believe to 
be totally devoid of all sense of it. The nostrils are 
doubtless the medium by which impurities in the water 
are detected. Certain it is that such impurities are per- 
ceived, and whenever possible avoided, as is plainly ex- 
emplified in these days of river pollution. 

Apart from the above causes the movements of fish, 
both migratory and non-migratory, are generally deter- 
mined by one of two causes; first, by the search after 
suitable places for the deposit of their eggs, a certain 
temperature of water being necessary to vivify them; and 
secondly by the quest of food. The movements of all 
animals which feed on living creatures are greatly in- 
fluenced by the habits of the creatures preyed upon, and 
fish offer no exception to this rule. We shall now pro- 
ceed to lay before our readers a comprehensive view of 
Avhat has taken us well nigh fifty years of patient appli- 
cation to acquire, namely, the characteristic habits and 
movements of anadromous and non-migratory fish, a 
knowledge of which it is incumbent upon every fisher- 
man to possess. 

The Salmon* — (Salmo solar,) — As is well known, 
these fish, with other orders of the same family, else- 
where described, pass a portion of each year in salt water, 
descending to the sea after they have deposited their 
spawn on the gravelly beds of the higher portions of 
rivers. The time of migration varies in different waters; 
thus we hear of early and late rivers. The spawning 

contrary, to ensure a probable capture, they are permitted by the angler . 
to move off without restraint until the shell is crunched or the naked 
bait pouched — a decisive moment— when the strike must be made in 
stanter. These dsh are accustomed to mouthing hard substances, hence 
do not "spit out" the hook, if felt, when taking the naked or shell- 
covered hook. 

* The Salmon (Salmo solar) of Great Britain is similar in its habits, 
coloration, etc., to the salmon of American Atlantic waters. 



14 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

season ranges from March to November. The majority 
of mature fish ascend and descend at fixed periods, the 
time chosen generally being during a flood. The early 
spring floods bring the first and main instalments to the 
sources of the rivers; but in the event of these failing, 
the fish often prolong their stay in salt water bays and in 
the mouths of rivers until the first rising of water will 
admit of a passage. There are in most salmon rivers 
numerous weirs so constructed as to render the passage 
of fish an impossibility, except during a heavy flood. In 
waters where these artificial obstructions do not exist, 
migratory fish pass frequently to and fro, these periodic 
ascents being doubtless occasioned by the quest of food. 
For a salmon to remain in good condition for a pro- 
tracted period in fresh water would appear to be an im- 
possibility. Their ova are vivified and their young 
flourish in the inland streams, but after attaining a given 
size their growth stops, and they sicken and die if the 
passage to salt water is obstructed. The cleansing in- 
fluence of the marine trip is necessary at least every two 
years, even when the supply of food in fresh water is am- 
ple, which is seldom the case. The freshly run fish may 
be said to be invariably fat, and in the best possible con- 
dition, not only in the substance of the flesh, but in the 
large quantities of adipose matter which is found on the 
pyloric appendages, which secret store serves as an inter- 
nal source of sustenance, supporting the fish during its 
summer stay in fresh water, where food is comparatively 
scarce. 

It is often asserted that anadromous fish will not feed 
except in salt water, and that their internal fat sustains 
them when absent from it. This is most certainly 
erroneous, as migratory fish are not more given to fasting 
than are any other fresh water species when food is plen- 
tiful. The young of both grayling and trout suffer 
greatly from the presence of salmon in the tributaries of 



THE HABITS AND HAUNTS OF FISH. 15 

our rivers, the former particularly are sought after and 
taken by them. 

A salmon in its young state is commonly called a parr, 
smolt, smelt, or samlet. When at this stage they rise 
boldly at the artificial trout-fly, but it is unlawful to take 
them. The terms for the young of other migratory fish 
(Salmonidce) are scad, shed, black-tip, blue-fin, kipper, 
etc.* When the young of these fish attain a length of 
about six inches, which they do in from eighteen months 
to two years from the time of hatching, they descend to 
the sea, where their stay is, generally speaking, about 
four months. Upon the first return of the young fish, 
after a sojourn of about this period, it is commonly 
termed a grilse or salmon-peal. The term "kelt" is ap- 
plied to male or female after spawning time, the male 
being also specially distinguished by the appellation, 
" kipper." The fish then assume the color and form of 
the fully developed fish. With regard to the hard and 
fast rules usually given for their growth and develop- 
ment, their stay in their native or in salt water, we may 
state that, great variation exists among individuals liv- 
ing under the same apparent conditions. The piscicul- 
turist well knows that a portion of every brood or hatch 
of fish are larger, stronger, and more vigorous than the 
remainder, and the same thing is exemplified when the 
fish attain maturity. We cannot endorse the statements 
of some who affirm, though they never attempted to 
prove, that the fry mature so quickly and grow so rapid- 
ly, when at liberty, as to be able to descend to the sea 



* As a curious illustration of the fecundity of popular nomenclature 
as applied to fishes, I append a partial list of names by which the salmon 
is, or has been, known in Great Britain : Baggit, beikat, bluecap, blue 
poll, brandling, brandlin, chine, cudding, shoe, farthing trout, fransck, 
fork-tail, gravelin, gibflsh, grilse, gresle-kelt, gouries, half-fish, heppar, 
kelt, kepper-grisle, kilty, kipper, laspring, lax, lewin, ligger, pink, pug, 
rawner, salmon-sprint, samlet, sewin, simen, skeggar, skirling, smelt, 
smoot, sparling, sprag, sprod, summer-cock, trotter, etc. 



16 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLER. 

within twelve months from the hatching period. Of their 
rapid growth during the marine trip we have had ample 
proof; this is perfectly rational, the sea being the feeding 
ground for the whole family of migratory fish, the abun- 
dance of small animalcule therein contained forming a 
never-failing supply to the immigrants. 

In ascending rivers, salmon usually keep near one side 
of the bottom of the water, but when their tributaries 
are being ascended, they take the middle of the swiftest 
streams. When a stream forms the outlet of a lake, or 
any sheet of water known to be the annual resort of 
migratory fish, it is of the most vital importance that no 
obstruction be erected to arrest their passage. There has 
been a considerable falling off in the takes of salmon 
during the last twenty years or so. This may be attrib- 
uted to three combined causes; (first) the erection of 
weirs and flood gates; (second) river pollution; (third) 
the depredation of the fungoid growth, termed the salmon 
disease. 

With regard to the first and second causes here given, 
we will take the particular case of the Trent. This river 
was formerly one of the most important for salmon yields 
in the United Kingdom, and it still ranks next to the 
Thames for its yields of other fish. The river itself, 
devoid of tributaries, is of the following extent: In Lin- 
colnshire, twenty miles; in ^Nottinghamshire, fifty-five 
miles; in Derbyshire, thirty miles; and in Staffordshire, 
forty miles. The tributaries take their rise at fifteen 
hundred to nineteen hundred feet above the sea level, 
and are pure. They extend as follows: The Dove and 
Churnet. sixty-three miles; Wye and Derwcnt. sixty-seven 
miles; the Soar and Wreck (Leicestershire), sixty-five 
miles, the Idle, forty-five miles; the Blythe and Anker, 
thirty-five miles; the Terme, twenty-five miles: the 
Tame, twenty-five miles: the Erewash, Sow (Stafford- 
shire), and Devon river, each twenty miles. The whole 



THE HABITS AND HAUNTS OF FISH. 17 

of the above streams, owing to the rapid fall in most 
cases, and the purity and cool temperature of their 
waters, were the annual resort of salmon and other 
migratory fish in immense numbers a few generations 
back. What do we find to be the case to-day? The 
salmon are debarred from ascending even the main river, 
except during heavy floods, by senselessly contrived weirs 
at different points, and with the same exception, the pas- 
sage up the Derwent is entirely shut off by weirs below 
Derby. In respect to the Dove, being swift and of ex- 
cessively rapid fall, it was originally the favorite resort of 
Trent salmon, many of which would ascend as high as 
Dovedale. There are some four or five weirs that are 
rendered passable only Avhen the river is bank-full, after 
a very heavy shoot of water from the hills, until Eocester 
is reached, where there is situated a weir that is impass- 
able at all times from its peculiar construction. All this 
may seem strange to those of our readers who have been 
led to imagine that the natural buoyancy and strength of 
anadromous fish enable them to overcome both ordinary 
and extraordinary difficulties in the way of impediments 
to their upward course. It is, nevertheless, the fact that 
salmon are to be annually seen for weeks and even months 
vainly trying to ascend an obstruction, known to be an 
effectual bar to their upward progress, until finally they 
deposit their spawn at the point where the passage is ar- 
rested, whether suitable or not. Salmon leap to a great 
height to surmount a cascade or perpendicular fall, but 
the long slanting weirs are not to be stemmed when they 
exceed a given length and angle. 

But to return. The Tame is now polluted to such an 
extent that even pike fail of late to flourish in it. The 
main river, too, is now also polluted so as to admit only 
of the presence of fresh run migratory fish when flooded 
by its tributaries. Thus, out of five hundred and seventy- 
five miles of water only a very few can be accessible to the 



18 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

salmon as spawning ground. It will, therefore, be seen 
that, taking the noble Trent as a type, salmon in English 
waters, unless more urgently looked to by the district 
conservators and other responsible bodies, will soon be a 
thing of the past. . 

The fungoid disease, named as the third cause of the 
falling off of the product of salmon in our largest and 
most important rivers, is most disastrous in its results, 
and when it attacks the fish in the spring or early sum- 
mer months its depredations are great. Owing to the 
circumstance of its being unknown to salt water, the 
gradual growth of fungus over the fish is speedily ar- 
rested, and finally cleansed away when the fish leave the 
rivers. This fungoid growth, so detrimental to the well- 
being and life of fish, has been termed the salmon disease, 
which is anything but a correct appellation, seeing that 
its deadly effects are often even more marked in the case 
of trout and other fish. This disease is a choleraic dis- 
order, and we are told owes its immediate origin to ani- 
mal or vegetable substances, one or both, in a state of 
poisonous decomposition in the water. Effectual reme- 
dies there would appear to be none. The only safe and 
efficient remedial course would appear to be to avoid 
river pollution, and thus purify instead of putrify water 
containing fish. Occasionally, however, this deadly dis- 
order is found to be rife in waters that cannot have been 
polluted by any of the numerous impurities to which the 
waters of populated districts are exposed, and in these 
instances it may be assumed that the presence of decay- 
ing vegetable substances is owing to protracted unhealthy 
weather. 

Salmon frecpient only the northern and temperate 
parts of the earth. It is a noteworthy fact that the in- 
habitants of the more southern latitudes, when mature, 
are much inferior, both as regards size and gameness of 
disposition — this at least in the eastern hemisphere — 



THE HABITS AND HAUNTS OF FISH. 19 

to those of colder regions. In Norway these fish are 
capable of attaining a prodigious size and weight, eighty 
to ninety pounds occasionally, whilst in the waters of 
Britain, the adult fish very rarely attain to one half that 
weight. 

The Common Teotjt* — (Salmo fario). — For variety 
of size, color, and disposition, the brown or common trout 
may be said to eclipse all other species. Every loch and 
river, and almost every tributary, has its variety. The 
geological formation of the bed of the river, the aquatic 
vegetation, and the quality and description of the food 
obtained by the fish, have much to do with this varia- 
tion. No fish can be said to be so widely distributed, or 
so capable of affording more variety of sport, from the 
lordly Thames fish to the game little denizens of the 
Devon streams. Trout will flourish in almost all waters 
capable of sustaining fish, but their chosen resorts are 
rapid, clear mountain streams, the jostling waters of 
which, foaming amidst fragments of rock, whirling and 
surging in their rapid course, form numerous cascades 
and caverned banks. Such are the favorite haunts of 
the trout. The merest rill of clear and rapid water will 
often contain vast quantities of these fish, when from its 
appearance it would be deemed incapable of sustaining a 
single fin. Under shelving banks and submerged sub- 
stances, amongst roots of trees bordering the banks of 

* The common brown trout of English waters is described by Ronalds 
as follows : " The back fin has a pale brown color, with dark spots upon 
it ; the other fins, including the tail, have a red tint. The color of the 
back, when in perfect condition, is usually a dark olive-green, studded 
with a mixture of black and brownish spots. The sides are shaded off 
from the olive to a greenish-yellow, studded with red spots, the black 
spots gradually vanishing. Lower down the yellow tint approaches a 
salmon color, and the belly is nearly white, without any spots." It 
will be seen at once that the English congener of our own brook trout 
wears quite a sober livery in comparison with that of the American 
mountain beauty ; their habits, however, are closely allied to those of 
our native fish. 



20 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

the streams, trout secrete themselves when not feeding. 
A casual observer, after a careful and prolonged inspec- 
tion along its banks, may often affirm that a length 
upon a noted trout stream is wholly devoid of fish, 
when the subsequent appearance of surface food will 
prove the water to be alive with them, and they may as 
suddenly disappear when the insects leave the water's 
surface to secrete themselves before an impending atmos- 
pheric change. In some districts trout spawn in winter, 
in others in October and November, or in December, 
and elsewhere in January and in February, or in March. 
The precise time depends also in a measure on the pre- 
vailing state of the weather and water. In the close 
season, trout leave the larger streams, ascending the 
brooks and rivulets, in the gravelly bottoms of which 
they deposit their spawn. When this operation is ef- 
fected, they disperse to their wonted haunts, the tails of 
currents, lying for the most part above and below pools 
and slow running deeps, behind any impediment to the 
running water, such as thick piles and sunken timber. 
As they get into condition they move to stronger water, 
occasionally for this purpose ascending brooks whose 
waters may be turbulent and strong to their very source. 
Here they linger by the edges of streams that flow into 
the throats of the pools, and at this period rise boldly 
and unsuspectingly for a time, and can then be allured 
by the novice in a comparatively easy manner. After 
the lapse of a few short weeks, as the water and weather 
become clearer and brighter, the trout grow cautious, 
where heavily fished over, they having now entirely re- 
covered their customary vigor, and with it their beauty 
of form and color. They now take up their old posi- 
tions, vacated prior to the commencement of the spawn- 
ing season. These are chosen as vantage ground for 
food, the largest fish occupying the best feeding ground; 
and when one of these has been extracted, the next best 



THE HABITS AN"D HAUNTS OF FISH. 21 

fish in the immediate vicinity takes possession of the 
vacated post. These fish will often fight desperately for 
a favorable situation, hence it is that the larger tenants oc- 
cupy the best positions. Near circulating eddies, behind 
large stones, in side and mid-stream, below jutting por- 
tions of banks, etc., ever near the main volume of water, 
and the perpetuated line of bubbles wherever it may 
tend, the trout lie assiduously observant of passing ob- 
jects, whether in or on the top of the water. 

When a quantity of flies are "up" in rapid water, the 
fish poise themselves near the surface, the more readily 
to close upon their winged prey; but, upon the other 
hand, when no surface food is presented to their view, 
they are quick to seize adventurous fry of their own or 
any other species, without distinction. In the latter 
half of May their attention is generally attracted and 
absorbed by the then active grub or pupa of the May- 
fly or drake; and as these nymphse are, generally speak- 
ing, numerous in the waters frequented by trout, the fish 
are seldom found rising at this particular period. In 
about a week or ten days from the first signs of activity, 
the pupas referred to vacate their cases and rise to the 
water's surface, when, after emerging from yet another 
skin, they appear in their sub-imago state as green drakes. 
The fish, not comprehending the change, continue to 
feed upon the undeveloped worm for a few days, until 
the now profusely laden surface allures them from the 
river's bed, and monopolizes their whole attention during 
the stay of the May-fly, which usually continues from 
seventeen to twenty days. By the time the season of the 
drake terminates, the fish have so regaled themselves 
upon this lusty ephemeral, that for a week or so they 
find it incumbent upon them to retire to the deep still 
water, to doze off the effect of the excess. After this 
they again resort to their accustomed posts, which are 
not forsaken until the spawning season again comes 



22 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLER. 

around, except when forced to retreat in the face of what 
in Highland phraseology is called a heavy "spate," 
when, particularly in hilly districts, the water rises and 
the stream becomes "bank- full,''* to overflow in a few 
hours. Then not only is the force of the current too 
strong, but the water is generally too thick in mid-current 
to admit of the movement of the fish. In these circum- 
stances the quiet corners and side eddies, no matter if 
quite out of the usual water-course, are the resort not only 
of trout, but of all other species that may inhabit the 
water. The whole congregate in places of comparative 
safety when danger threatens, the minnows with the 
trout, the pike with the gudgeon. When trout reach a 
more than ordinary size, they disdain surface food. At 
twilight, and even later in the hot months, however, 
they will rise at the large moths, but are not to be allured 
to the surface by small flies. When over two pounds 
weight, their flesh assumes a beautiful red tint, not nnlike 
that of a well-conditioned salmon, but when they much 
exceed that weight, they do incalculable harm to the 
water they inhabit by greedily devouring the small half- 
grown fish. Trout occasionally attain a prodigious size, 
five and six pounds being not altogether uncommon. 
But although a trout may reach this weight, he does not 
long retain it, for within a comparatively brief period 
all the store fish within a hundred yards of his haunt 
will have disappeared, and the cannibal who has thus 
depopulated it will diminish quickly in flesh, showing a 
gaunt head and rakish-looking frame as the result of 
the scarcity of food; for, strange a? it may appear, the 
veteran trout seldom forsakes his chosen haunt, even to 
appease hunger's keen pangs. Fish of this description 
should be destroyed. At twilight they will frequently 
rise boldly at the minnow. At mid-day it is of little 
use angling for them, as the tackle must then necessarily 
be fine to get them to face it; and when this is the case, 



THE HABITS AND HAUNTS OF FISH. 23 

it is unequal to the task of holding them when hooked. 
In large rivers the existence of hybrids in certain of the 
first sub-genus group of Salmonidm is by no means in- 
frequent, the non-migratory fish interbreeding with the 
migratory, producing tidal or slod trout, and other varie- 
ties, which occasionally attain considerable dimensions. 
The common trout, in certain waters, sometimes attains 
a large size, notably in the Irish lochs, those of Loch 
Neagh frequently scaling eighteen to twenty pounds. 
Thames fish are occasionally taken weighing in the teens 
of pounds, but such captures are few, and we regret to 
have to add, are becoming yearly more infrequent, not- 
withstanding the instalments from High Wycombe and 
other sources. Kingston, Shepperton, and Chertsey 
were years ago the best localities for these fish, and, 
therefore, the chief resorts of the anglers. More re- 
cently, Sunbury, Weybridge, Maidenhead, and Marlow 
Weir have become the favorite places. 

The Gtllakoo* Trout of Ireland is another large 
variety. In their native lakes they attain frequently four 
or five pounds weight, but when introduced into other 
waters they often much exceed that weight. This variety 
affords much excellent sport when hooked, even when 
small. It is scarcely advisable, however, to introduce this 
large variety into ordinary trout streams, as the effects in 
all probability would be similar to those following the 
introduction of bass in the American trout rivers, the 
original stock gradually disappearing.! Large fish in- 

* So-callsd from the structural arrangements of the stomach, which is 
usually as large as a chicken's, in formation resembling the gizzard of 
the bird known as th? gillaroo. 

t In view of the present desire of many English rodsters, including the 
editor of the " Fishing Gazette," to introduce the black bass into the 
streams of England, it would be well for them to take heed of the fact 
stated in the text. This fish will destroy the " coarse fish," particularly 
the Cyprinidce of any stream or lake. It kills from the love of killing 
and, pound for pound, is the sturdiest fighter that sculls the waters. 



24 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

variably require an enormous amount of food to enable 
them to grow and flourish, and should never be intro- 
duced into water which will not afford the necessary- 
supply. 

Chare and Pollen — (Coregonus.)* Both these fish 
are extremely local. The first named are found in large 
lakes, the deepest part of which they frequent. Like 
trout, they vary in different waters, chiefly however in 
color, which is often most brilliant when they have been 
freshly taken, the fiery red breast being then marvellously 
vivid. The torgock, or "Welsh charr, is perhaps the most 
conspicuously colored. It is found in Llanberis and other 
lakes in the north of Wales. It is smaller than those of 
Windermere and other northern lakes, its average length 
being thirteen to fifteen inches. The charr is strictly a 
northern fish, and flourishes much better in lakes fed by 
underground springs at some elevation than in shallow 
and low-lying waters. The lakes and lochs chiefly noted 
for these fish in England, Ireland, and Scotland, are 
Windermere, Ennerdale, Buttermere, Wast- Water, in the 
north of England; Lough Enniskillin, Lough Eske, 
Lough Dan, Lough Melvin, Lough Killin, and dorr in 
Ireland; Lochs Grannoch, Eoy, and Awe, in Scotland; 
and Lake Helier in Hoy, in the Orkneys. From their 
habit of seeking the seclusion of the very deepest water 
during the greater part of the year, they are seldom taken 
by the sportsman, although bold risers at the fly. Occa- 
sionally they are excessively shy, and are not to be ap- 
proached within a considerable distance when surface 
feeding. The contents of their stomachs when taken 
generally consist of aquatic and aerial insects, and the 

*The trout is now relegated to the salvelinm or ebarr species of the 
salmonoids, to which the Rangely Lake trout, the California mountain 
trout and our common speckled brook trout belong. The charm, how- 
ever, differ greatly in coloration from the American varieties, but few 
having spots, which, when present, are of a dull reddish orange color. 



THE HABITS AND HAUNTS OP FISH. 25 

small fish known as the stickleback, which latter forms 
their principal food. This fact failed to attract our notice 
until the year 1862, when we were fishing upon the Awe, 
in Argyleshire, at different periods during a visit of four 
months. We had observed a succession of bubbles ap- 
pearing upon the water's surface for an instant, and hav- 
ing never succeeded in raising a fish in immediate prox- 
imity, we concluded that they were caused by an escape 
of gas or air from the bottom of the water. After a while 
there came a day when the momentary bubbles were ex- 
ceptionally numerous, though they never occurred near 
the boat. This circumstance did not escape us, and we 
put up a cast of brown trout flies, in lieu of the larger 
salmon fly we had previously been using, and these we 
succeeded in casting in the midst of a rising of bubbles, 
and this time not in vain, for tha next instant we not 
only had a rise but a hooked fish, which eventually proved 
to be a charr of the northern species, and was found to 
be gorged with small sticklebacks. Subsequent experience 
proved that the eruption referred to was simply a shoal 
of these tiny fish clearing the water in their frantic and 
futile endeavors to elude their enemies. The fish here 
spoken of was sent to the proprietor, Colin Campbell, 
Esq. , of Loch Nell, as we were informed that the exist- 
ence of charr in the loch was unknown and unsuspected. 
We were afterwards assured by the proprietor, who wish- 
ed to know the precise fly that had allured the specimen 
forwarded, that such was the case. Since then, charr 
have been regularly taken in their proper season. Charr 
come into shallow waters to spawn during the autumn, 
often running into the lake feeders to perform this oper- 
ation, when nets are illegally used for their destruction. 
Charr are classed with trout under the new Fresh Water 
Fishery Acts, and the close time is therefore the same. 
The Pollen, or Powan", are confined to the Irish lakes, 
Lough Neagh being especially noted for these fish; Lough 
2 



26 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

Erne, and Lough Lomond, too, are stocked with them. 
They feed, like the charr, upon the fly and other aquatic 
insects, etc. The prevailing color is silvery gray, the 
head and back being bluish brown. They spawn in De- 
cember and January, and afford good sport during the 
genial months to the angler. 

The Grayling — {Thymallus vulgaris.)* — This is a 
much more fastidious and delicate fish than the trout; 
and, although it abounds to profusion in some streams, 
yet it is very local when compared with the trout. Both 
Scotland (including the Tweed, Clyde, and the Orkneys) 
and Ireland are graylingless; neither do they occur in 
Wales, except in the border streams. They require a 
peculiar combination of favorable surroundings to enable 
them to flourish and locate permanently, when introduced 
into strange streams. A moderate temperature of water 
is requisite for their well-being, and a succession of stream 
and still deeps. They generally frequent the lower por- 
tions of trout streams in hilly districts; a fair volume of 
water, too, is essential, as, when there flows less than two 
tons or thereabouts per minute, grayling descend to a 
lower point, where their needs in this respect are satisfied. 
The bottoms of our best grayling rivers usually consist of 
an alternate mixture of loam, marl, sand, and gravel. 
The brown trout, in his habits of migration, penetrates 
still further up stream to more rapid water. The gray- 
ling, on the other hand, more generally descends to sloAver 

* Tlie coloration of the English grayling consists of a general tint of 
light blue silvery gray, covering nearly the whole surface of the body, 
excepting the belly, which is white, or nearly bo, and the scales often 
exhibit iridescent lines of great beauty. The buck and head are of darker 
gray than the rest of the body. A few lines of brown are intermixed 
with the gray of the sides, at d a few black spots appear on the shoulder. 
The back fin has a purplish tint, studded with large black spots. The 
tail is of a slate color. The English fish I judge to be somewhat stouter 
than the American I Thyma&v* tricolor), and is certainly far inferior to it 
in beauty of coloration. 



THE HABITS AND HAUNTS OF FISH. 27 

running waters; still, there is little doubt that this fish. 
would thrive in many waters in which it is at present un- 
known. Grayling are, to a certain extent, gregarious, 
generally frequenting the stills, even when surface feed- 
ing. It is owing to this fact that they are given to rise 
nearer the rodster than the trout, ascending often from 
the deepest part of the river to seize a passing insect. 
Although, when top food is plentiful, these fish rise 
boldly and continuously, they, especially when the water 
is slightly discolored, are very partial to the larvae of 
water-flies, wasps, maggots, cabbage grubs, etc., as they 
are also to any imitation of these. 

Grayling grow rapidly in comparison with other Sal- 
monidce, the young attaining several inches in size in a 
very few months. They spawn usually in April and May. 
By October or November, the fry are little larger than a 
minnow, and are then termed "pink" grayling. The 
summer following they average four to the pound, and 
are then known as " shote " fish. About two years from 
the time of hatching they attain about half a pound, by 
which time the ova is matured, but not before. The half- 
pound fish takes the name of grayling. The fish is in 
the very zenith of health and vigor from October to Jan- 
uary. When in perfect condition they are almost black 
upon the back, which contrasts prettily with the silver- 
gray and pure white of the bosom. The pectoral fin, 
which is immensely large in this variety of Salmonidce, is 
faintly tipped with a ruddy hue. In reference to the 
habits of the grayling much diversity exists iu current 
literature bearing upon this subject, as the following brief 
quotations will show: — 

"Grayling are found in "I have proved that 
the North Sea, Cattegat, grayling will not bear even 
and Baltic." — Nilsson. a brackish water without 

dying." — Davy. 



28 



THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 



"Early m spring gray- 
ling ascend the rivers, 
where they remain till 
autumn, and then return 
to their former element." 
— Donavon. 



"He is a fish that lurks 
very close all the winter, 
but is very pleasant and 
jolly after mid-April, in the 
hot months." — Walton. 



"They delight in rivers 
that glide through moun- 
tainous places, and are met 
with in the clearest and 
swiftest of those streams." 
— Mackintosh. 

"The grayling is the 
deadest-hearted fish in the 
world. " — Cotton. 



" The grayling passes its 
time entirely in fresh water, 
and I cannot understand 
how Donavon — whose fig- 
ure, bad as it is, shows it- 
self to be this fish — says it is 
migratory. " — Ha ughton. 

"Grayling are best in 
season in autumn and win- 
ter; indeed, they should 
not be taken till August, 
and all caught before that 
period should be returned." 
— Francis. 

" They cannot stem rapid 
streams, and are gradually 
carried lower and lower, 
and at last disappear." — 
Shipley and Fitzgibbon. 



"The grayling is an ex- 
cellent fish for sport." — 
Ronalds. 



The juxtaposition of these extracts shows how many 
inaccuracies and fallacies are diffused by those who pro- 
fess to be the teachers of truth. 

The quotations to the right are accurate in detail, as 
grayling fishers of experience will concede. The annual 
movements of these fish occur in much the same way as 
those of the trout, with the exception of the one being 
in condition in the cold season and the other in the most 
genial part of the year. In the spawning season (April 
and May) they repair to the broad shallows, where the 



THE HABITS AND HAUNTS OF FISH. 29 

water-course widens, and the gravelly bottom is plainly 
apparent. Here they lie in shoals, and, before the na- 
tional law prohibited the practice, sacrilegious work was 
often perpetrated with the net by the poaching fraternity, 
who, unfortunately, are much better acquainted with the 
habits of their quarry then is generally credited. After 
their sexual functions have been in due course accom- 
plished, they seek the best feeding positions vacant, near 
the sides and at the tails of sharp streams, where they lie 
at the bottom, ever on the look-out for what the stream 
may bring down, such as the larvae of the several orders 
of large water flies and other aquatic insects — the water- 
spider and freshwater shrimps (Ganmarus aquaticus). 
The grayling, though a delicately organized fish, never- 
theless possesses a strong stomach, superior to that of the 
trout, which enables it to digest insects inhabiting shell- 
like cases, and other molluscous food. After their health 
has been somewhat restored by a short location here, the 
approach of the hot months drives them to the seclusion 
of the deepest water, near the bottom of which they lie, 
where the heat is less felt. We believe this to be the 
main secret as to the suitable water and locality for these 
fish, as in these days of artificial propagation and experi- 
mental ventures in the transportation of fish, it has been 
often observed that when the water is not adapted for the 
peculiarities of this fish, they have invariably descended 
at the approach of warm weather, never to re-ascend. 
There are many waters that do not at present contain 
grayling, that are perfectly adapted to their peculiarities. 
Streams having lime spring sources are found to be par- 
ticularly suited to these delicate fish. In the Canadian 
lakes the trout lie, whenever the weather is oppressive, 
in masses near the cool springs, especially when these are 
situated at the bottom of the water. Grayling in this 
country are found to flourish in similar situations, but in 
more genial climes they cannot be preserved, being a 



30 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

northern fish. In early autumn they leave the still 
deeps and congregate upon the lower running streams, 
where the water is from three to four feet deep. Here, 
in the wake of piles encumbered with sticks, etc., they 
sport m company, and are to be allured by fancy artifi- 
cials, even when there are no flies on the water. At this 
period they afford really excellent sport when fished for 
by the sunk fly, as well as by the other methods of ang- 
ling for them, described elsewhere. As the year advances, 
the vitality and vigor of the grayling increases, and by 
the time the sharp frosts of winter set in, whenever the 
water is in fit condition, they afford exceptionally good 
sport. Grayling often attain a large size; they are fre- 
quently taken from two to four pounds in the rivers most 
noted for them, which are as follows: the Avon, Itchen, 
and Test, in Hampshire; the Dove, Wye, and Derwent, 
in the Midlands; the Aire and Swale, m Yorkshire; and 
the Lugg and Teme. This fish has recently been 
turned into the Clyde and Tweed, where it appears to 
flourish. 

Pike* frequent the more shallow portions of the water 
when they are in cpiest of food, as also for spawning pur- 
poses. The smaller fish naturally throng to the thinner 
waters for better security, and the larger fish of prey lurk 
in their vicinity, as the vicious dog-fish do near the her- 
ring shoals, upon the shelving strand. Pike also love to 
be concealed in weed beds, amongst the friendly shades 
of water plants, from which they pounce upon their un- 
suspecting prey. In rivers and running water, like trout, 
they generally take up an advantageous position before a 
jutting portion of the river's bank, or in a (lee}) curl of 
water at a sudden bend. These places are favorite haunts, 
and are sure to be tenanted by either large or small fish. 



* The pike (Esoz luciut) of England is identical with the true pike of 
America. 



THE HABITS AND HAUNTS OF FISH. 31 

Both in winter and summer the pike is a solitary and un- 
social fish. They spawn in the spring, April and May 
being the usual months, but the spawning period varies 
with the locality to a certain extent. As pairing time 
approaches they repair to creeks, side-ditches, back- 
waters, etc., and in the case of lakes and ponds to the 
seclusion afforded by weed and reed beds. In the fall of 
the year the wanderers congregate in a social sort of way, 
in the still and deepest parts of the water, or in some 
favorite nook which may have been an annual place of 
assembly since it was originally formed. The ova of the 
pike hatch quickly, thirty-two or thirty-three days being 
the period. Their fry are also of rapid growth. In the 
pickerel or jack stage they devour enormous quantities of 
food, if favorable. At a very early stage their vicious pro- 
pensities are exemplified. We once placed three pickerel, 
scaling from two to three and a half pounds, in a small 
pond, in which had been turned some fourscore store 
fish, the majority being carp of small size, the remainder 
tench and perch. Upon being netted at the end of the 
year, there was not a single carp in the pond; two-thirds 
of the perch were left, as were also a few of the tench. 
The pickerel had meanwhile developed into respectable 
pike, scaling five and three-quarters to six and one-quarter 
pounds weight. Belief in the ancient doggerel, anent 
the natural propagation of pike, eels, and other fish, 
from the pickerel weed, chopped-hair, etc., it is said is 
not as yet fully dispelled amongst the lower agricul- 
tural orders in some parts of Scotland, and in several 
English counties. 

Walton, who invariably quotes the German naturalist, 
Gesner, upon the natural history of fresh-water fish, in- 
stead of relying solely upon his own personal investiga- 
tions, affirms his belief in these and kindred superstitions, 
characteristic of our forefathers. The same absurd non- 



32 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLER. 

sense is credited in the " Piscatory Eulogies," where we 
find the following: 

" Say, canst thou tell how worms of moisture breed, 
Or pike are gendered of the pickrel weed ? 
How carp without the parent seed renew, 
Or slimj' eeis are form'd of genial dew ?" 

To indulge in day-dreams about the abnormal instincts 
and habits of animalia, would appear to be characteristic 
of the speculative naturalist of past ages, vague theories 
being treated as solid facts, and so set forth for the ac- 
ceptance of credulous readers. 



CHAPTER II. 
THE HABITS AND HAUNTS OF FISH 

THE BARBEL, CARP, TENCH, BREAM, ROACH, DACE, GUDGEON, 
CHUB, EEL, POPE OR RUFFE. 

The Barbel* (Barhus vulgaris) is a gregarious fish. 
It spawns in May and the beginning of June, and is 
found in the sluggish parts of slow-running streams. It 
not unfrequently attains a weight of ten or twelve pounds, 
and specimens are occasionally taken measuring three 
feet in length. Its fins, especially the pectoral, are ex- 
ceptionally large, and by their aid it can hreast the 
most powerful currents, and is, moreover, capable of af- 
fording good sport to the angler, owing to its excessive 
pertinacity of life and strength. The Thame? and Trent 
are the best rivers for this fish. It is rather local in this 
country, but is occasionally found abundant in the waters 
of low-lying counties. Large barbel are most prevalent 
about Shepperton. Walton, and Weybridge upon the 
Thames, where they have been taken scaling fifteen or 



* The barbel is not a native of our waters. 



THE HABITS AISTD HAUNTS OF FISH. 33 

sixteen pounds or more. Tliey abound in the Trent for 
many miles about and below Nottingham. During the 
hot months, after spawning (which operation is effected 
amongst weeds, roots, etc., around which substances they 
entwine the ova in a rope-like form) they seek deep slow- 
running streams, near the bottom of which they lie. A 
cold climate does not appear to suit the barbel. In more 
southern latitudes, as in the Danube and the Rhine, it is 
said to occasionally reach fifty or even sixty pounds. In 
Scotland this fish does not appear at all. With the ad- 
vent of frosty weather in the fall, they leave the still 
dee]3s and holes, and may be found at the bends of rivers, 
near bridges, flood-gates, locks, and weirs, which form 
their haunts during the winter season. Here they are 
often taken, in favorable circumstances, in heavy quanti- 
ties by practical adepts. The mouth of the barbel is 
situate much lower than is the case with most fish. It is 
a flat- stomached fish, with a hog-shaped head and snout. 
The fore-barbs, or wattles, attached to the end of the lat- 
ter, and appended to the comers of the mouth, are plen- 
tifully encompassed by nerves, which serve as feelers to 
the fish whilst foraging amongst gravel, etc., in the bed 
of the water. It belongs to the carp family, and is noted 
for its subtlety and wiliness. Barbel are in the best con- 
dition in August and September. 

Caep {Ciprinus carpio)* do not thrive in northern 
latitudes; like the barbel, they attain much greater di- 
mensions in temperate and southern climes. It is sup- 
posed by some that the whole carp family are not indige- 
nous to this country, which may be very probable; but 
nothing is certainly known of the period or source of 
their original introduction. The naturalist Linnaeus 
affirms that carp were first brought to England about the 
year 1600, but this assuredly is erroneous, as in Dame 

* This variety or scaled species has been introduced in our waters. 



34 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLEK. 

Juliana Bemer's book on angling, published in 1496, we 
have the following mention of the carp: "It is a dayn- 
tious fysshe, but there bene but faue in Englond, and 
thereforce I wryte the lesse of hym." 

The carp is a vegetarian, feeding upon the more tender 
parts of aquatic plants, and the growth of alga? and fun- 
gus with which aquatic vegetation is often overspread. 
Insects and larvae also are taken by them. Where carp 
run large they are anything but "dayntious," as any 
vegetable garbage and refuse will be eagerly and voraci- 
ously devoured by them when cast within their reach. 

In the winter season carp lie partially buried in the 
mud at the bottom of the lakes and ponds in which they 
delight. Their ova becomes matured about June; they 
deposit their spawn upon weeds, etc. These fish have 
the curious habit of emitting but a small part of their 
eggs at once; thus they are taken for some months con- 
taining more or less mature spawn, the male fish having 
a similar characteristic. The carp, like most leather- 
mouthed fish, have teeth in the throat — these, in the in- 
stance of the common carp very much resemble the molar 
teeth of a quadruped. They are very long-lived, and 
many remarkable instances of this are recorded. There 
are many varieties of these fish now common in this 
country. The Crucian and Prussian variety are abun- 
dant in many waters. These are much shorter and more 
plate-like in form than the ordinary carp. 

Tench* {Tinea vulgaris), like carp, flourish best in 
weedy ponds or deep pits, and though in very sluggish 
rivers they may take up their quarters upon some quiet 
reach, they are seldom found abundant in these situa- 
tions. In the winter months these fish lie dormant in 
the mud at the bottom of the water, as we have already 



* So far as I am aware, we have no fish on this side of the Atlantic 
corresponding to the tench, of which in fact but one species is known 
to exist. 



THE HABITS AND HAUNTS OF FISH. 35 

stated to be the case with the carp; indeed, their main 
habits and instincts correspond closely with those just 
ascribed to the carp. The chief points of distinction are 
that the tench possesses greater powers of suction, is con- 
' siderably less in size (seldom attaining more than six or 
seven pounds in our home waters), and is inferior in cun- 
ning. The body of the tench is abundantly supplied 
with mucous, which is generally supposed to have medic- 
inal properties. This would be difficult to prove, and 
we very much doubt whether it ever has been satisfac- 
torily established. Both carp and tench are eminently 
tenacious of life, and able to breathe with the most 
meagre supply of oxygen. The young of both fish are 
also of marvellously quick growth, where food is plenti- 
ful, and the surroundings are favorable to their well- 
being. The golden variety of tench, now acclimatized 
here, is being artificially bred and distributed upon an 
extensive scale. 

Bkeam* (Abramis brama) abound to profusion in many 
of our lakes, rivers, and canals, as also in small confined 
sheets of water throughout the land. There are two 
principal British varieties of these fish, viz., the common 
or carp bream, and the white bream, or breamflat. There 
are numerous hybrids among bream, as, indeed, is the 
case with the whole carp tribe. These are occasionally 
taken for new varieties, and new species. In early morn- 
ing, with the first gleam of the sun in the east, the 

* The reader must not confound the English bream with our sunfish, 
which is called in many sections of the United States, a bream. The 
bream of the text belongs to the carp family, and the sunfish to the 
perehes. We have two well recognized varieties (both carps) of the 
bream in this country ; the Notemigonus chrysoleucus, commonly called 
shiner, the habitat of which is from New England to Minnesota ; the N. 
Americanus, or Southern bream, ranging from Virginia to Georgia. Both 
of these fish are similar in their habits to the English varieties, loving 
weedy streams and ponds. The former, N. chrysoleucus, resembles a 
shad and grows to a weight of a pound and a half. The saltwater por- 
gee is sometimes called a bream in the Southern States. 



36 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLEE. 

bream, in common with most fish of like order, are to 
be observed playfully gambolling and turning over, so 
that their most frequent haunts are easily discernible 
to the early riser. When a bream suddenly descends 
from near the surface of the water, unlike any other 
fish, it causes bubbles to appear upon the water im- 
mediately above it. This must be owing to its peculiar 
formation. It probably emits a certain portion of oxygen 
by the exertion. The teeth of the bream, as with other 
aquatic vegetarians, are in the throat, there being, in 
the case of the common bream, a series of five upon 
each bone, a double complement of these being possessed 
by the white variety. Bream spawn in July. They 
always frequent the deepest parts of the water they in- 
habit, and are fond of weedy quarters. About the mid- 
dle of October they are in the hight of condition. It 
is not in every likely-looking place upon a river known 
to contain bream that they are found. They are rather 
migratory as well as gregarious, and are given to roam, 
changing their haunts, for no apparent reason, for an 
indefinite period. These fish seldom attain more than 
six or seven pounds weight, though specimens are oc- 
casionally taken scaling considerably more. 

Eoach* (Leuciscus rutilus), are also gregarious, con- 
gregating and swimming together in shoals. They are 
generally numerous at the lower portions of trout streams, 
in water from three to five feet in depth, and of very 
moderate velocity. They feed upon aquatic insects, 
worms, the larva3 of flies, and also on certain vegetable 



* The names, Roach, Dace, and Chub are inextricably mixed in the 
popular nomenclature of fishes in this country. All of them are applied 
indiscriminately to one and the same fish. 1 am enabled, however, to 
state from personal knowledge tliat the roach of the Atlantic States ia 
almost a counterpart of its English congener, in physical outline, at 
least so far as may be judged by examinations of several exquisite and 
accurate drawings of the latter fish. 



THE HABITS AND HAUNTS OF PISH. 37 

matter. These fish spawn in May and the early part of June. 
When thus ill-conditioned they are particularly rough to 
the touch. Their ova is deposited amongst the roots of 
weeds or upon some projecting or submerged substance 
there may be in the bottom of the water. The length 
of a full-sized, well-conditioned roach ranges from ten 
to twelve inches; but, being a broad and thick-set fish, 
the weight is greater than its length would indicate. 
Upon some waters, a fish of this description, measuring 
ten inches, will generally scale about three-quarters of a 
pound. They are of marvellously slow growth, as com- 
pared with other fish of the same order. The roach is 
not esteemed as an article of diet. 

Dace, Dare, or Dart. * — These fish are gregarious, 
and are common in our clear streams, especially in the 
south. They frequent slow running waters, where they 
feed upon the larvae of insects, worms, etc., and towards 
September rise well at the fly, and are to be readily taken. 
There are other species of what are designated coarse fish 
that rise at the fly, such as the perch, chub, and pike, 
but these are not nearly so partial to surface feeding as 
dace. Though these fish generally prefer clear water, 
they are found plentiful in the polluted portions of large 
rivers. Their spawning time is April and May. Dace 
will flourish wherever trout abound, which fish they re- 
semble in their general habits. They seldom reach more 
than fourteen ounces in weight. Though common to 
running waters, they will flourish in still pools and ponds. 
The same observation may be applied with equal truth 
to the 

* The daces proper of our waters are of small size and are used mainly 
for bait. The names chub, fallfish, roach and dace are often applied to 
one and the same fish, and this custom is apt to mislead the American 
reader of the text. The dace is a favorite fish •with + he British anglers 
as they take the fly during the fall months and in December and 
January. 



38 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLER. 

Gudgeon.* — These little fish, in common with min- 
nows and other small fry, frequent main rivers and 
tributaries alike in incredible numbers, migrating in 
shoals. They are extremely prolific. Their chief use to 
the angler is for bait for the larger species of fish. 

Chubj (Leueiscus cephalus). — Chub frequent deep and 
rapid waters. They rank among the very coarsest of 
fresh-water fish; nevertheless, they are not to be found 
in stagnant, foul, or habitually discolored water; indeed, 
it is rarely they flourish except where they have the ad- 
vantage of a constant supply of food, as is the case in the 
vicinity of the rapid passage of a volume of water. In 
lakes, ponds, or canals, these fish are rarely found. Their 
"holts" in small rivers are usually deep still pools, those 
sheltered by overhanging trees or bushes being their 
chosen resort, especially when the stream is powerful just 

* The only counterpart we have, from an angling standpoint, of this 
little fish, on the natural history and capture of which pages have been 
■written by English angling authors, is the gudgeon of the waters of 
Baltimore ; when in season many dozens are caught on a tide with a 
light red and running tackle. The fish of the text belongs to the 
carp family and delights in running streams, while those of the United 
States are caught in deep tidal "waters and are apparently anadromous. 

t The nearest approach we have in the United States to the chub 
of England is the tiemitolus corporalis, commonly called chub in this 
country. This fish does not differ in habits, mode of feedinsr, etc., 
from that one described by the author. I have found it, in small 
streams, to be extremely shy and to insure success have been com- 
pelled to creep stealthily to the bank and to avoid casting a shadow 
overthe water. When hooked it will give delightful play, often leaping 
once or twice out of the water, but its resistance is of short duration. 
.They are struck mostly in the riffles where they take the fly somewhat 
fiercely, the reverse occurring in the quiet pool, their action then being 
somewhat sluggish. I have caught them weighing two pounds, but 
they reach nearly double that size when their habitat is the deep 
stretches of water above the dams of the upper rivers of the Northern 
States. It is this fish and its congeners that are rapidly disappearing 
in the States east of the Alleghenies under the onslaught of the ferocious 
black ba6S. 



THE HABITS AND HAUNTS OF FISH. 39 

near the head of the pool. In larger and wider ones the 
fish lie in the streams when gently flowing, and near the 
shelving or well-wooded bank. Sandy or gravelly bottoms 
are preferred by the chub. They are seldom or never 
found where the bed of the water is of mud or loam; they, 
like the grayling, find food in the gravel and sandy bed. 
They feed, as is the case with the whole cyprinus family, 
upon aquatic plants, and have, in common with their 
order, fully developed throat teeth. Their food also con- 
sists of worms, flies, beetles, grubs, and, indeed, every- 
thing that in general forms food for their more aristo- 
cratic fellow- tenants of the stream; and they are to be 
taken with almost every conceivable bait, from a minnow 
to a midge. Their edible qualities are bad, but when 
rubbed with saltpetre immediately after being killed and 
cleansed, they form tolerable fare. 

Eels. — There are two distinct varieties of these fish 
that are indigenous to this country, viz: — the sharp-nosed 
species (Anguilla vulgaris) which, as far as can be ascer- 
tained, is migratory in its habits, and the broad-nosed. 
The former annually descend to the mouths of the rivers 
they inhabit to find brackish water. This excursion is 
made in the autumn, the main object being to find water 
of the right temperature for vivifying their ova, as, unlike 
all other species of fresh- water fish, they would appear to 
require a higher rate of temperature for this purpose. It 
is well-known that the water in the tidal part of rivers is 
several degrees higher in temperature than that nearer 
the source, owing, first, to the greater elevation of the 
sources; and, secondly, to the contact of two fluids of 
different densities, as salt and fresh water, which causes 
an increase of temperature of at least two degrees. The 
passage of the adult fish, during or immediately after a 
flood down-stream in the autumn, is well-known to the 
owners of fisheries upon our large rivers, who place traps 
for their capture. The immense numbers that inhabit 



40 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

some waters is simply incredible. But if the downward 
passage of eels is remarkable, it shrinks into insignificance 
when compared with the spring ascents. Many accounts 
of th? marvellous number of young elvers that pass up 
stream in the spring months, have been given by various 
writers upon this and kindred subjects. 

The broad-nosed species do not ascend the rivers, but 
locate in holes and crevices in masses of stone. In the 
winter they lie dormant in the mud. This variety is not 
esteemed as an article of diet. The young of the eel are 
eagerly devoured by all fresh-water fish, including the 
trout and salmon, and even the adult eels themselves, 
hence it is that so few live to become developed. Eels 
are vicious devourers of fish spawn, and were they to mul- 
tiply to any great extent, the effect upon the higher order 
of fish would be disastrous. Eels were long considered 
viviparous, but this is now known to be erroneous. 

The spawn of the migratory or sharp-nosed variety is 
usually deposited and buried in sand beds, that of the 
non-migratory species is deposited in the mud gradually, 
during a considerable length of time, which accounts for 
the intermittent passage of the young elvers or fry for 
months in the spring of the year. AVhenever there has 
been incessant heavy rain, eels turn out of their hiding 
places to feed upon worms, the larvae of insects, encrustia, 
etc., and in the case of the larger specimens upon small 
fish. Mild winters are favorable for their capture, as in 
the flushed waters that are then usual, they are always 
on the forage for food. Poachers often take the best of 
these fish upon their night-lines, a3 eels are undeniably 
nocturnal in disposition. 

The Perch* (Perca fiuviatiUs) flourishes in both stag- 

* The perch of English waters is the yellow perch of America (Ihrca 
Americana). The white varietj(MoroneAmericana), esteemed by us as a 
table and semi game fish, is not named by the angling writers of Eng- 
land. 



Plate 1. 




THE HABITS AND HAUNTS OF PISH. 43 

nant and running water. In the former they are more 
commonly numerous ; the river perch are, however, 
larger, and far more wily. The perch are to an extent a 
gregarious fish, moving in shoals. Deej) holes and the 
slower reaches of large rivers are their chosen resorts. 
They are extremely hardy, flourishing in the foul water 
of road-side pits, etc. They spawn in April and May. 
They are extremely prolific, the number of eggs carried 
by an adult fish being over 200,000. The spawn is de- 
posited in an unbroken band or festoon of eggs, which 
is generally entwined around weed stems, etc. Moles, 
ducks, water-fowl, and vermin eagerly devour it. 

Perch are of slow growth, considering the fact of their 
being such voracious feeders. In confined places, where 
the water is overstocked, they gradually diminish in size, 
until they range to almost the size of a minnow. To keep 
a stock of good perch in a confined water, they should be 
netted every alternate season, the larger only of the fish 
being returned; the smaller may be distributed elsewhere 
as store fish. Yearling perch average two and a half 
inches in length when fed plentifully. In favorable cir- 
cumstances perch acquire an unusual weight, five or six 
pounds being sometimes reached by them when the supply 
of food has been good, and the surroundings favorable. 
The remaining member of the Percidce species is the 

Pope ok Eufpe* (Bough). — This fish is extremely 
partial to canals and muddy pools. The more sluggish 
running waters often contain vast quantities of them. 
It is inferior to the perch, both as regards size and the 
quality of its flesh. It is an equally voracious feeder, and 
affords good sport to the youthful fisherman where it 

t This fish is not known to our native anglers. It differs from our 
■white perch mainly in being of a darker color, approaching brown, on 
the sides and hack, and having a continuous dorsal fin instead of two, 
the latter being a distinguishing mark of our perches. 



44 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

abounds, it being readily taken with the coarsest tackle. 
Ruffe spawn in April, and, like perch, multiply rapidly. 
Pike and other large fish feed upon them. Both the form 
and the habits of this fish are similar to those of the 
perch. Its average length is four inches, aud it very 
seldom exceeds six. For live bait for pike it is often in 
great request, on account of its hardiness and attractive 
color. 



CHAPTER III. 
BOTTOM FISHING (GENERAL). 

POND-FISHING FOE PERCH, ETC., GUDGEON, DACE, AND ROACH 
FISHING. 

Under this heading we purpose dealing with each indi- 
vidual fish sought after by the bottom fisher. The con- 
stant increase in this class of anglers has of late become 
so noteworthy that any work on modern methods of 
angling would be signally incomplete were this important 
branch ignored. Still-water or pond fishing is associated 
with the earliest recollections of the majority of fisher- 
men, whether fly, mid-water, or bottom fishers. AVe 
shall, therefore, commence with this simple phase of the 
gentle art. Worm fishing may be practised successfully 
for almost every variety of fish in fresh water, not ex- 
cluding even the trout and salmon. We have devoted a 
separate chapter to worm fishing for the first-named, 
The usual objects of the bottom fisher in still water are 
what are known as coarse fish, ranging from the pike 
down to the perch and gudgeon, and the arrangement of 
the tackle employed varies both according to the kind of 
fish it is desired to take, and the lay of the water. Float 



BOTTOM FISHING. 45 

fishing is the chief resort of the bottom iisher in standing 
water. Almost anything in the shape of a rod will answer 
for this purpose, the only essential being stiffness and 
strength. Bamboo is the best material for a general bot- 
tom rod, a variety of top joints of different strength and 
length adapting it for both heavy and light work. Be- 
fore taking the fish in detail we would enjoin the atten- 
tion of the tyro to the following hints:* — 

Don't unduly expose either the person or the rod by 
restless movements upon the edge of the water. 

Avoid disturbing as much as is possible the surface of 
the fish's element by incessant movements of the float 
and bait. 

Never employ a larger float, and therefore more sink- 
ers, than is absolutely requisite. 

Always ascertain the precise depth of the water it is 
intended to fish before commencing, so that the bait may 
come within the ken of the fish. 

See that the lure is placed upon the hook in as natural 
a manner as is possible, viz. , by threading the worm, if a 
worm is used, up the centre, leaving a portion of each 
extremity free. 

When a fish is hooked, do not suddenly, as Homer has 
it, " lift it quivering to the skies." There is no need for 
transporting your "finny prize" in a strictly perpen- 
dicular direction. The thing to do is gently tug the 
quarry to the bank before leaving the water, as by so do- 
ing the pulling power, without the addition of the weight 
of the capture, is placed upon the tackle. To work out 
the diagram given, we commence with 

Perch Fishing.— The first consideration for the 
youthful aspirant, after fixing upon a likely spot, where 



* "We commend these practical rules to all anglers, young or old, who 
delight in bottom fishing. Many of them are apt to fish " loose " in 
deep waters. 



46 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLER. 

the water is most discolored* (which is generally in the 
vicinity of weeds), is the depth. This may he easily as- 
certained by plumbing, by means of a scrap of sheet lead 
or wire, rolled round the hook, or without this by ob- 
serving the float when properly weighted, as in standing 
water it lies on one side when the sinkers touch the bot- 
tom. After thus accurately taking the depth, the tackle 
should be so arranged as to admit of the lure reaching 
within three inches or so of the bottom. A few pieces of 
turf, containing worms, may be put in the water before 
" rigging up " tbe tackle, f The vigorous action of these, 
on being suddenly introduced into a strange element, 
answers admirably in attracting the notice of and collect- 
ing the fish. A small, w 7 ell-scoured dew or lob worm 
should then be carefully threaded upon the hook. The 
float should be cork, not colored. The brilliantly daubed 
article usually offered for sale ought always to be assidu- 
ously avoided. A common bottle cork is not to be sur- 
passed, and, if the quill that pierces the cork be vermil- 
ion-tipped, so much the better. By the use of a small 
forked stick the rod may be suspended upon the bank, 
whilst the owner looks out and prepares a new place, in 
case a change may become desirable, or two rods may be 
used. When fish run large, for better security, a pot- 
hook shaped iron inserted in the ground at the full ex- 
tremity of the rod will render all safe. Large hooks should 
be used, as by such voracious and bold biters as perch an 
ordinary worm hook for trout fishing will be paunched 
without difficulty. 

In rivers, in the early part of the season, perch are 
generally found in gently-flowing water, not very deep. 

* Clearwater is best for perch fishing in our waters. When it is riled, 
the fish cease to go in shoals and arc caught, only here and there, gener- 
ally a single fish at a time. 

+ Ground baiting is not followed to any degree by American anglers. 
Its value cannot be disputed, particularly in black ba^s waters. 



BOTTOM FISRING. 47 

As the season advances, they locate under hollow banks 
and by whirling eddies, or smooth, gravelly-bottomed 
swims, but towards September and October they frequent 
the deepest parts of the river, near roots, sunken sticks, 
or in other fastnesses. Perch are gregarious; care should, 
therefore, be taken not suddenly to disturb a hole or swim. 
They will run eagerly at the minnow, especially in the 
summer months, but the method by which most sport 
may be derived from them is to cast for them with a trio 
of artificial red palmers or caterpillars (double-hooked), 
attached to a moderately strong fly cast, one at the point 
and the others mounted upon gut lengths, and attached 
as droppers. These are used as small flies, just as when 
working them for trout, with this exception — when a fish 
is hooked no action is taken whatever. The hooked fish 
will quickly be shown, and will work the remaining 
palmers infinitely better than the rodster can, and, in- 
credible as it may seem, by this means each lure will have 
secured its capture in a very short time after- the first was 
hooked. The difficulty of landing these contributions 
adds in no small degree to the diversion.* It sometimes 
happens when the casts are full fine, or the fish extra 
large, that a loss of a portion of the gut, together with its 
appendage, is experienced ; but this is an unusual occur- 
rence, more particularly if sound and strong casts be used. 
The best way to land a string of perch is to secure the 
endmost one in the net first, and when this is done the 
rest seldom get into mischief, and are generally easily 
landed. There are numerous methods of extracting perch, 
and if it be true that the amount of diversion derived 
from sport is in proportion to the novelty introduced, 
perch fishing presents important attractions. The arti- 

* When black bass do not run over a pound or two in weight, I invari- 
ably use the method of the text ; especially if the first fish chances to be 
hooked on the " hand " fly ; the " end " fly in this case plays beautifully 
and, nine times out of ten, a second bass will strike it. 



48 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLES. 

ficial spinning bait and spoon, the roving live bait, the 
fly,* both artificial and natural, maybe successfully used. 
The more advanced methods of bottom fishing may also 
be resorted to in the case of the perch; indeed, this is a 
matter of necessity in river fishing, where the large fish 
exhibit a degree of wariness akin to that of the acute 
carp. Whipping with the cad-bait, fresh-water shrimp, 
and other aquatic insects in nymphse form also affords 
capital s]iort, even in clear water, under the overhanging 
banks, trees, or bushes, amongst well-educated shoals of 
these fish. 

The Gudgeon {Genus Gohia) are very prevalent in 
slowly-running waters, those having gravelly or sandy 
bottoms being the best adapted for them. They increase 
wonderfully, and like most small fish, they spawn twice 
and often three times in the year. Upon most of our 
large rivers, as well as upon the majority of our small 
streams, gudgeon fishing is a popular pastime in its sea- 
son, which commences with July and ends with Septem- 
ber. The following is the sj'stem mainly resorted to upon 
the Thames and Trent. A punt is moored in a moderate 
flowing stream, four or perhaps five feet in depth. The 
bottom is disturbed by a large and heavy metal rake,f 
brought for the purpose, when the fish (which are grega- 
rious, going in large shoals), congregate in great numbers 
in the water thus discolored to feed upon the grubs and 
larvae of insects. But little skill is needed to catch this 
fish. Its excessive gullibility is Avell known. The mean- 
ing expressed by being "gudgeoned," is, as everybody 



* The American yellow perch will take the fly freely. I have caught 
them on the rocky shoals of Lake Champlain and in the rivers of the 
Middle States, on almost every variety of black bass flies. 

t A most excellent plan to adopt when Ashing for flounders in salt 
water. It is used by a few New York City auglers, and in no other sec- 
tion to my knowledge. 



BOTTOM FISHING. 49 

knows, being easily deceived. Poets, too, adopt the bold 
little gudgeon as an analogy to convey the same impres- 
sion, as Gay serenely sings — 

" Wbat gudgeons are we men, 

Every woman's easy prey ; 
Though we felt the hook, again 

We bite, and they betray ! " 

Notwithstanding all this, the finest tackle and a nine or 
ten-foot rod, stiff and light, are essential to moderate suc- 
cess. The telescoj)e Japanese bamboo rods answer well 
for these fish, though we cannot commend their use for 
fish of heavier calibre. The finest possible line should be 
used; as to whether it be twist or plait is immaterial. A 
light cork, or better still, a small quill float, and small 
No. 12 hook, complete the equipment. Some fishermen 
advocate the use of extra strong tackle to meet exceptional 
emergencies; as for instance, when angling for gudgeon 
they will employ a hook and line equal to landing a heavy 
tench, perch, or chub. That this is folly is proved by 
the result of a trial of the two systems in the weight of 
fish taken. If you wish to take perch or chub, why not 
angle for them ? Do not use unsuitable tackle upon any 
pretext. "We have often known anglers spoil all prospects 
of sport by their stupidity in this respect, rigging up 
trout baits with gimp because of the probable presence 
of a pike, for instance, in which case the result is, gener- 
ally speaking, simply nil. 

The best bait for these fish are worms, gentles, and the 
cad-bait grub, the latter found in its sheath at the bot- 
tom of the water. The small worm known in the Mid- 
lands as the "Cockspur" is the favorite lure, and the 
brandling, too, often does great execution. In striking 
even a gudgeon, a little art and aptness tell marvellously 
in a day's fishing. No slack line should intervene be- 
tween the rodster and the feeding fish, as, though a bold 
biter, it is equally energetic in rejecting the bait when 
3 



50 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLEE. 

the hard substance of the hook is detected. A rapid 
striker will hook two fish to a dilatory angler's one. The 
bait, which should be very minute, should be so arranged 
as to just escape the bottom. 

From an edible point of view, the gudgeon is superior 
to many, we may say the majority, of fishes that inhabit 
fresh water. 

Dace. — This fish seldom attains more than three- 
quarters of a pound weight, though occasionally it may 
reach one pound. Dace are numerous in most trout 
streams, more especially in those of Wales and the south- 
ern counties of England. They afford excellent sport 
when feeding in sufficient quantities, though they are 
occasionally very annoying to the fly-fisher for trout; in- 
deed, they are to be taken in large numbers by a gaudily 
dressed fly, towards the end of the summer. The small 
palmers (red, gray, and black), bumble, and red tags, etc., 
are the description that find most favor in the eyes 
of this fish, though sometimes they are by no means 
partial in this respect. 

To the fly-angler for dace, we would observe that when 
these fish are fastidious in rising, a gentle, or a wasp- 
grub, or even a tiny strip of flannel, when placed so as to 
hide the hook, will render the thing effective; but the 
usual mode of angling for these fish is by bottom fishing. 
The tackle and hooks hereafter recommended for roach 
are equally well adapted for dace fishing, and as both 
are found upon the same swims, the angler frequently 
extracts a mixed bag. Like the gudgeon, the dace is a 
bold biter, and is sharp, often incredibly so, in discharg- 
ing the lure if not struck speedily. It is unlike the roach 
in the latter characteristic. As regards gameness the 
dace has considerable repute. Bait fishing for dace is 
mostly followed, and is most productive m winter. His 
flfish is not, however, much appreciated for the table. 



BOTTOM FISHING. 51 

For live bait fishing for pike the dace is valued, and 
justly so. 

The Roach* {Genus rutilus) is rightly awarded no 
mean position in angling literature. This cannot be 
said to be on account of its weight and size, or its 
edible qualities, but purely because of tbe skill re- 
quisite for its capture. The early authors we know 
write differently, and their statements may then have 
been justified by their comparatively unsophisticated 
fish, and are still in the case of under-fed pond fish. 
With river roach, however, the case is widely different ; 
to bag a decent take, the rodster must be a practical hand 
of no mean attainments and experience. This branch of 
angling is so popular in these days that upon all the most 
noted rivers these fish are marvellously well schooled, so 
much so upon certain waters as to rival in wiliness the 
trout upon some streams ; but the accomplished roach 
fisher will make a respectable bag, even in adverse circum- 
stances, always supposing the fish are there to catch. 
"With regard to the suitable equipage, the rod demands 
the first attention. This should be stiff, light, and of 
fair length. Some anglers use implements of prodigious 
dimensions. We recommend an East India cane, of ten 
or twelve feet, as being well adapted for every useful pur- 
pose. Some capital roach rods are made from lancewood, 
red deal being employed for the butt-piece. When good 
material is employed, a rod of the following dimensions 
for a three-part rod will combine lightness with strength. 
The diameter of the ferrules at the top of the butt joint 



* The roach of our rivers will take the fly, if small and bright in color. 
Few of them, however, are caught by this method of fishing. On the 
Delaware River from the piers in the lower part of the city of Phila- 
delphia, large quantities are sometimes caught through the ice by the 
use of light rods, small hooks, and dough bait. They are small in size, 
seldom exceeding seven inches in length, but their shyness is equal to 
the English fish. 



52 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

should be 5 / 8 inch inside, that of the end of the middle 
jjiece 5 / 10 of an inch, reel fittings and terminating ferrules 
on the foot of the butt about V/ s or l'/ t in diameter. This 
ratio will be found to form a well-proportioned taj>er 
from the band upwards, the wood, of course, tapering so 
as to fit the ferrules without the metal being sunk in the 
joints. Incalculable disasters ensue from a non-observ- 
ance of this all-important provision. The wood of the 
immense majority of rods manufactured, being robbed at 
its weakest point to accommodate the ferrules, leads to 
frequent breakages. We deal more fully with this subject 
elsewhere. Eoach are noted for their excessive shyness 
and quickness of vision, therefore in clear water it is 
essential to exhibit as little of the rod and person as pos- 
sible, as in addition to this they are adepts, when they 
understand the situation, at extracting neatly the bait 
from the hook, and leaving the mere skin or frame behind. 
We remember keeping for some years a large roach 
amongst other fish, in a tank fed by a small rill of spring 
water. Upon our casting a score of house flies or gentles 
in a batch, one only having a small hook concealed care- 
fully, Mr. Eoach would invariably absorb unhesitatingly 
all and every insect but the identical specimen containing 
the hidden book, nothing of w 7 hich but the point would 
be visible, although other and smaller fish would exhibit 
no such scruples. It is this special caution of the roach 
that calls into play so much care and tact on the part of 
the rodster. The line should be of the very finest possible 
texture and undressed. Eaw silk is the best material for 
firmness and strength. "When angling with fine line, 
more especially is it requisite to keep proper command 
over the bait by retaining little slack line from the tip of 
the rod downwards. Many advantages ensue from the 
use of an extra fine line, retaining of course full requisite 
strength, both in live bait, bottom, and surface fishing. 
As every angler will admit, the less the surface of the line, 



BOTTOM FISHING. 53 

the less resistance offered by the air, and the greater 
chances of success and. deception. The hook is also a 
point of the greatest importance, and one to which meagre 
attention is but usually paid. A bad or defective hook 
is an abomination to the user ; to employ one is as detri- 
mental to sport as the use of pasteboard bullets would be 
for deer stalking. As we have devoted a separate chapter 
to the consideration of hooks, we shall merely quote an 
instance from our own personal experience, anent this 
subject. 

In company with an angling acquaintance, we were 
fishing upon a once celebrated roach reach on the Trent, 
not many miles from Burton. Our companion was rather 
positive in his ideas of hooks. He inherited a notion 
from his sire, who it was asserted was the best roach fisher 
of his day, that the weight and dimensions of one's takes 
ranged in a certain degree according to the weight of 
metal and dimensions of the hook employed, the heresy 
of which doctrine will be obvious to any modern disciple 
of the rod. The descendant of the redoubtable rodster 
favored a JSTo. 8 Carlisle hook, and nothing we could ad- 
vance appeared to convince him of the absurdity of his 
prejudiced opinions. Finally, we arranged to fish the 
matter out, hence it was that we repaired to a noted 
spot upon the noble Trent. Circumstances were favor- 
able to sport, and as the swim had been nicely and judi- 
ciously baited the day previous, we quickly did some 
execution. After an hour or two's fishing, we had gained 
gradually but at an increasing rate on our antagonist ; he 
accounted for this by affirming that we had monopolized 
the best position, on which we "swapped" places. The 
main result, however, was still the same. Our companion 
now suggested that the secret lay in our bait, on which 
our reserve was immediately placed at his disposal. Still 
the same result appeared, though in a much more marked 
degree, and our friend now became irritable, and his 



54 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

patience collapsed, together with his rod and tackle. 
"Luck's dead against me, and it's useless fighting against 
fate," was the explanation tendered, while the process of 
unjointing was heing gone through. We now thought it 
high time to expostulate by delivering ourselves of our 
view of the affair, which we speedily did, winding up with 
an offer to so rig up our friend that he would equal if not 
rival us. This was finally carried out, and the result 
showed that with an accurately constructed hook five 
bites amounted upon the average to four fish, whilst with 
a badly made or deformed one, the bites, or rather nibbles 
in this case, yielded but a meagre per centage of captures, 
the precise number ranging, as a matter of course, accord- 
ing to the size and nature of the hook. 

The float should be very light. Another consideration 
is the substance to mount the hooks upon — whether hair 
or gut — some anglers preferring one, and some the other.* 
There are equally good anglers upon both sides, but the 
ancient hair, it cannot be denied, is rapidly losing 
ground before refined gut, which is now imported, in such 
immense quantities from Spain, Sicily, China, and else- 
where, and may be said to be thrice the strength and 
half the substance of the traditional hair. It is, or 
should be, the object of the fisherman to reduce his lines 
and general tackle so as to be as nearly invisible as possi- 
ble, to which end it is essential that the bulk and surface 
presentable should be reduced as far as is compatible with 
strength. It is therefore an advance in the right direc- 
tion (and one that should have been taken before) to 
have the gut drawn whilst in its gummy state to as fine 
proportions as are requisite to meet special cases, for, 
although we were the originators of the gut-drawing sys- 
tem, we have no hesitation in proclaiming the superiority 
of the gut drawn accurately, prior to its being set and 

* Hair snoods are used by the roach anglers of Philadelphia. 



BOTTOM FISHING. 55 

hard, as then it retains its enamelled surface entire. Had 
this been done a quarter of a century or so ago, the neces- 
sity for our oft- repeated researches would not have exist- 
ed. To assert that hair of any description is equal to 
even gut of equal thickness, is absurd. The former is 
not only weak, being hollow, but is given to stretch when 
strained, and is very susceptible to breaking at knots. It 
magnifies greatly in the water, and, lastly, absorbs the 
wet, and swells. On the other hand very little can be 
urged in regard to the use of the gut that is detrimental. 
It can now be obtained one-third the thickness of hair, 
each strand being far superior in point of strength, and 
when slightly stained the color of the water where it is 
intended to be used, it is as near being invisible as any- 
thing ever discovered, Hair effectually superseded the 
Indian weed, and silk-worm gut will eventually supersede 
hair quite as effectually. 

To return to our subject. Gentles, pastes, boiled grain, 
cad or straw bait, and small red worms are most worthy 
the angler's attention as baits. It is necessary to bait 
moderately the swim fixed upon the evening previous. 
We emphasize moderately, because it is the custom to 
sink so much food for the fish under the appellation of 
ground-bait, that by the time the expectant rodster 
"turns up" the whole school will have gorged them- 
selves and dispersed to more secluded nooks to doze off 
the effects; hence it is the enterprising angler so fre- 
quently meets with scant sport. This is often attributed 
to the influence of passing electricity, whether in the 
earth, or atmosphere, or may be both; failing this, and a 
thousand and one other abstruse reasons, the weary angler 
can always comfort himself and explain to his friends and 
neighbors that as there was scarcely anything in the swim 
in question, it followed in the natural course of things 
that little could be hauled out of it. After baiting judi- 
ciously overnight, the fish will have congregated upon 



56 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

the baited spot at daybreak, if not before, when they are 
on the forage for breakfast. The object in baiting over 
night, it must not be forgotten, is merely to produce an 
appetizing effect on the next morning. If the object in 
view be to collect fish at any given spot from more distant 
localities, a good store of ground-bait should be placed 
there for a day or two previous, always allowing a whole 
day and night's interval between the final baiting and the 
time for angling. 

Having first ascertained the depth by the method pre- 
viously described, and arranged the float so as to admit 
of the bait ranging three or four inches from the bottom 
of the water, the hand supporting the rod should be 
ever ready to knock home the hook nicely and carefully, 
and not too hastily. The correct motion will be readily 
acquired by practice. Small fish will often take the float 
under by a jerk, whilst the corpulent members of the 
same species will scarcely indicate their presence by a 
disturbance of the float at all, though when these begin 
to pay their addresses to your lure after this style, it 
generally proves a favorable symptom for sport ; but fre- 
quently this exhibition of tenderness and delicacy is 
merely the result of their style of mouth-work, if we 
may be allowed to use the expression, the object of which, 
the angler soon finds out, is to extract the bait from the 
hook neatly and effectively. Now this is just as bad a 
sign as the other is a good one, and what is worse, as a 
general thing, the angler cannot help himself. A plan 
we have found to answer ourselves in these circumstances 
is to hang a scrap of the finest and best gut one quarter 
of an inch below the hook, and upon this excessively fine 
gut to attach a very small hook (though of small size, to 
retain good strength of metal), upon this one-half of a 
maggot or gentle is attached, with a full-sized one, or 
even two, upon the hook above ; this will not fail to 
" fetch" the most finical of the tinny race in question. 



BOTTOM EISHING. 57 

Upon hooking a fish, the chief consideration must be 
how to extract him without damage to the swim,* dash 
and bustle being highly unfavorable to the situation, the 
capture must be consummated as soon as is compatible 
with the general weal. A judicious change of situation 
is the best thing under the circumstances, therefore 
when this can be carried out effectually the fish may be 
quietly landed in some secluded side spot away from 
the baited swim. 

The persistent voracity of bleak, where they are numer- 
ous, is often very annoying to the roach fisher. These 
small fish, locating near the surface of the t\ ater, absorb 
the lure before it comes within the ken of the portly 
roach. The effect of this is the more tantalizing when 
fishing with gentles, or grain of any description. When 
this petty larceny is going on, resort must be had to the 
following expedients : Get a fair-sized piece of paste or 
clay, bell-shaped, the hollow of which must be filled up 
with dry bran. This should then be attached to the 
hook and slowly let down. The bran will gradually 
escape as it sinks, the bright atoms of which, as they are 
carried down-stream, attract the small fry after them. 
When clay or paste — the latter is preferable, as it will serve 
a double purpose in dispersing the bleak and forming 
ground bait for the roach — is not convenient, a handfulf 
of bran thrown in the water will have the desired effect, 
though somewhat temporary in its character. To reach 
the roach at the bottom of a still deep hole, a few gentles 
should be pressed in clay, leaving small outlets for escape. 
A few of these will have the desired effects of attracting 
the notice and exciting the foraging instincts of the 
larger fish. Whenever roach fail to approach the bait 

* The fish in a given water — the swim of fish. 

1 1 have sometimes found that a handful of earth thrown into the 
water will recall the fish when they have temporarily stopped hiting. 



58 THE SCIEXT.FIC AXGLEE. 

presented, a change should be made, if practicable. The 
wisest policy is, however, to examine the stomach of the 
first capture, as in the case of fly-fishing. 

We have frequently found a predominance of beetles, 
and even flies, in the stomachs of the fish, which ac- 
counted for a previous marked indifference to our bottom 
bait : we are now speaking of roach in our smaller 
streams, where the variety of food is much greater. In 
the lowest portions of the majority of our best trout 
streams, as, for instance, the tributaries of the Thames 
and Trent, much execution may be doue with the sunk 
house-fly in September, when these and the wood-fly are 
blind and feeble, and are scattered as the falling leaves 
by each gust of wind. Whatever may be the contents of 
the stomach of the fish, the bait should harmonize as 
much as possible with what is found to be the inclination 
of the quarry, whether it be worms, grubs, larvae of 
insects, or even weeds, for the roach is occasionally a 
vegetarian. In the case of the last-named predominancy, 
paste may be used with advantage, and failiug this, silk- 
weed when procurable. "Whatever you do, do not use 
stale bait, or the sure Nemesis will be stale sport. Eoach 
are excessively nice in their ideas, and the careful pan- 
derer to their base desires will reap ample payment for 
his exertions.* 



* I have given the chapter on roach fishing in full, because every line 
of it is of use to that class of anglers who fish shallow ponds or small 
lakes and the rivers above tide water, where the sunfish and perch 
gather in the deep holes. Fine fishing (there is none more delicate 
than the English method of fishing for roach) is in such waters indis- 
pensable to a fair creel. The section on Barbel fishing is omitted, as we 
have no fish in American waters which can be caUed its congener. 



BOTTOM FISHING. 59 



CHAPTER IV. 



BOTTOM FISHING— Continued. 

ANGLING FOR CARP AND CHUB. 

The Carp* — (Genus Cyprinus) — is a very wily fish ; in 
waters much fished chey come rather as an exceptional 
prize to the angler, whose attentions and baits were 
intended for the allurement of other fish. In well-pre- 
served and little-fished waters they are to be occasionally 
taken of very large size. The smaller fish, under three 
pounds or so, are far less cunning. 

The angler for carp cannot be too careful and cpaiet in 
his movements, nor too skillful in the use of the tackle, 
which latter cannot possibly be too fine, so long as a 
reasonable amount of strength is retained. We put forth 
the above, notwithstanding the exbortations of the early 
writers as to the use of. strong "harnessing" and tackle, 
for if any fish is gifted with reasoning powers it is the 
carp; as even when hunger-bitten it displays the most 
tantalizing caution in what it absorbs. An all-round 
inspection is invariably given to the bait before it is cau- 
tiously closed upon; sometimes the rodster in clear water 
plainly discerns a yellow monster, which, after describing 
a number of circles around the bait, traces the line to the 
surface, which done, the carping critic waves a courteous 
or contemptuous farewell flourish of his broad tail and is 

* Our author certainly presents us with a pleasing picture of the 
" cuteuess" of the carp as a rod fish. American anglers, however 
should not become enthusiastic over this fish until, after due trial and a 
full probation, he is found to merit the honor. Change of habitat some- 
times creates a vast difference in the game qualities of a fish, but I am 
disposed to discredit the possession of such qualities by any fish that 
feeds, from choice, on a vegetable diet. 



60 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

gone.* Occasionally, however, the programme is varied, 
for instead of clearing up the problem by a judicious 
investigation up to the source, he proceeds skillfully and 
artistically to dissect the bait, with a view to clear up 
the mystery. It is no uncommon thing for the tyro to 
have the bait taken from the hook for hours without in- 
termission. There cannot be a rational doubt that the 
fish, when this is the case, fully comprehends the situa- 
tion. Worms, when well scoured and presented lively 
and fresh, are good baits. These, however, are to be used 
at the bottom, ledgerf fashion, only instead of the v sual 
large lead, a couple of perforated swan shot should be 
strung upon the line, and confined to within two-thirds 
of a yard above the hook and bait, by a small-sized shot 
attached to the line at the requisite place; or a double 
knot of the gut may be made to answer the same purpose. 
Potatoes, when part boiled, we have always found a more 
killing bait than any other for these fish; they may be 
used with ledger tackle as above. 

Our method of using the above is to rig up three and 
one-half yards of medium gut — a strongish fly cast will 
answer this purpose — with three-dropper hook — No. 6, 
Kendal, are best — on eight or ten -inch gut. These are 
placed two feet apart, a small shot being fixed to each yard 
of the main gut line. The whole of the hooks are then to 
be baited with the prepared potatoes, a piece the size of a 
cherry being used for each hook, the whole delivered out 



* This quality of caution and captiousness in the carp is displayed in 
other fish. The little " sunny" sometimes exhibits it, and I have seen a 
black bass flash from out of a depth of six or eight feet of water, nose 
the artificial fly, and then back water slowly with a sort of " no-you- 
dont" flirt of the tail, as palpably intelligible as the finger to nose action 
of the street gamin. 

t The ledger consists of a perforate J bullet, or a roll of sheet lead, 
about an ounce or so in weight. When this lies upon the bottom, the 
line will run freely through it, until checked by a shot fastened about 
two feet above the hook. 



BOTTOM FISHING. 61 

by a careful underhand cast. The bait is pitched well out 
to an open space on the water's surface. The prospects of 
sport are improved when the surface is covered with weeds, 
as the rodster's movements and person are thus obscured. 
When a bite is indicated, an interval of a few seconds, 
varying according to circumstances, must be given before 
striking; a safe signal is the attempt to carry away the 
bait: the fish has it then within his jaws, and a sharp 
strike may be given by the time it has progressed a couple 
of feet or so. In clear open standing water it is essential 
that the angler should keep as much out of sight, and as 
stationary upon the bank as possible; an intervening bush 
or tree trunk may serve as an admirable cover to operate 
from. 

There is an endless variety of bait used for carp, par- 
ticularly of pastes, which range from a compound of 
honey and sugar to bread and bran. From our own per- 
sonal experience, we cannot commend them as being 
generally efficient, though we have occasionally found 
them taking, but when a particular kind of bait has been 
much used, a change is often effective. * 

Chub (Genus Leuciscus). — These fish may be fished 
for by an almost endless variety of baits. They will 
take a fly with as much avidity as they will swallow a 
worm. Bottom fishers chiefly use pastes, graves or 
scratching, ox-brain, and the worm, when angling spe- 
cially for these fish. But they are more often caught 
when angling for other fish, as for barbel, roach, bream, 
etc. Float-fishing is the best in the winter months, 
when surface and mid water food is scarce. An old 
haunt for these fish will often yield great sport upon a 
sharp frosty day in midwinter. We once took six fish 
that scaled twenty-seven pounds from one hole on the 

* The few paragraphs on fishing for tench and bream are omitted. 
They possess no interest to anglers on this side of the water. 



62 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

Dove below Rocester. The scales of some of these were 
the size of a shilling. Chub are to be steadily headed from 
the hole when hooked, in order to avoid disturbing the re- 
mainder of the school. Ledgering is also a favorite 
style of angling for them in some waters, the gut and 
tackle being generally stouter than for other fish, as 
when a large fish is hooked it is a case of "pull devil, 
pull baker." A slender weak rod should especially be 
eschewed, as to keep the fish from the roots in the neigh- 
borhood of their haunts, the best built and most evenly 
proportioned rod procurable is unequal to the occasion ; 
a certain amount of pliant play is necessary to aid the 
tackle. The best wood to employ for a bottom rod for 
chub is Eamshorn Ash (English) for butt, hickory for 
middle joint, and a spliced treble cane top. We have 
had a rod of this description in use for the last forty 
years, and it is still as sound and useful as ever. Upon 
all bottom rods the rings should be upright, and the reel 
fittings, as in the case of the fly-rod, should be fixed to 
the bottom of the butt joint, so as to balance as much 
as possible. To place it a foot or so from the extremity 
of the joint is foolish, it being just in the way of the 
rodster's hand when using, and also highly inconvenient 
generally. In the early autumn months chub are to be 
taken by dibbing* (surface fishing) daping (midwater) 
with live insects, such as the larger of the flies and bee- 
tles, humble bees, grasshoppers, etc. Instructions as to 



* " Dibbing " or " daping " may be brief!}' described as follows : Hav- 
ing selected the special pool or hole where the chub are known to be, 
the angler cautiously approaches the spot, keeping out of sight, and, if 
necessary, crawling upon his hands and knees. Upon reaching the de- 
sired point, he remains quiet for a moment or two to allow the fish to 
recover their equanimity, if it has been disturbed. Then gently extend- 
ing the rod over the water, he allows the baited hook to fall from his 
hand, so that it will hang five to eight inches above the water. Moving 
it quietly over the spot where he thinks the fish arc most plentiful, the 
bait is dropped quickly on the surface of the water. 



BOTTOM FISHING. 63 

the method of using these we have given in a separate 
chapter. Upon the Thames and Trent of late young 
frogs have become the favorite bait for chub in their sea- 
son. The average yield of a day's "chubbing" with 
these lures is about eight to ten brace of heavy fish. This 
would often be larger were it not for the smaller fry biting 
so voraciously, and thereby causing loss of time to the 
angler, whose duty it is to carefully unhook and return 
them to the river. It is now no uncommon thing to 
meet an angler with his bait-kettle converted into a tem- 
porary prison for frogs, so popular has become this sys- 
tem of fishing for chub. 

The arrangement of tackle is simple: A No. 4 Kendal 
hook, at the end of two feet of tolerably strong round 
gut (slightly stained blue) with a scrap of lead wire 
wound round above the knot. The baby frog is then 
hooked by a bit of the tough skin at the back of the 
neck, and carefully lowered from the point of the rod, 
the weight of the bait taking out the line through the up- 
standing rings, when allowed, until it reaches the water's 
surface, the rod m eanwhile being kept stationary. The 
struggling movements of the captive quickly attract the 
attention of the best and largest fish near, amongst whom 
the bait is often divided, and, when this is so, great 
diversion is afforded, as eventually the most voracious is 
the first to grace the creel. The most artistic method of 
extracting chub is to fly-fish for them. The surface flies 
for these fish should be large and gaudy; if nature must 
be copied at all, bees, wasps, and cock-chafers are the 
things to reproduce, the ordinary red, black, and dun 
palmers, having plenty of tinsel upon them, are also kill- 
ing. Lake or sea-trout fly size are very good, also old 
May-flies, and indeed anything that is sizable and gaudy. 
A good strong cast should be used with these, especially 
when the water is a little turbid, or discolored. The red- 
haired caterpillar, too, may be used for chub with marked 



64 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

effect, in the way we recommend for trout and other fish. 
The attractiveness of any fly or beetle, whether artificial 
or natural, is greatly enhanced in the eyes of a chub by 
the addition of a couple of maggots, wasp-grub, or even 
a narrow strip of wash-leather or white kid upon the 
hook. Early morning fishing in the autumn is often 
more productive than mid-day or night; why this is so we 
can scarcely say. The minnow is as easily taken by these 
fish as any other bait, and towards twilight in July, 
August, and September, the chub will "run" at either 
natural or artificial, so long as the bait is clear, bright, 
and well spun. 



CHAPTER V. 
BOTTOM FISHING— Continued. 

PUNT FISHING, BANK FISHING, BOTTOM LINES, FLOATS, SILK- 
WORM GUT, REELS OR WINCHES. 

In punt fishing, a much shorter rod should be em- 
ployed than is necessary for fishing from the bank. The 
material should be cane. The East Indian variety is by 
far the best, both for durability and strength. This will 
be found to stand heavy punishment when other woods 
give way; indeed, we doubt as to whether the hardest and 
most solid wood that grows will surpass, or even equal it 
in these characteristics. Solid wooded rods are not only 
more apt to break, but to bend permanently, so as to 
necessitate the reversing of the rings to the opposite side 
of the joints periodically; but there is one thing wc can- 
not omit calling attention to anent cane rods, and that is 
their liability to snap at the joints close to the ferrules. 



BOTTOM FISHING. 65 

There is, of course, a stiff place where the parts meet in 
a non-spliced rod, and when an unusual strain is applied 
to it, the wood immediately, above or below, snaps off 
short. The nuisance of this may be effectually avoided 
by inserting a small wooden plug, of some four or five 
inches in length, in the hollow of the cane, which equal- 
izes the strength of the rod when correctly proportioned 
throughout. Solid upright rings are preferable to the 
ordinary loose ones; the most expensive rods are some- 
times fitted up with agate mounted rings and tips when 
intended for trolling purposes. These prevent the rings 
from being worn by the constant friction. Instead of the 
ordinary circular-shaped rings, we advise the use of dome 
or conical ones. These are not liable to entangle one's 
line, no convenient foothold being presented by their 
sloping sides. The lirnp loose line entwines around any 
projecting substance presented, and any removal of a ha- 
bitual fouling place must of necessity be a step in the right 
direction. In boat or punt fishing, the method of pro- 
cedure varies somewhat upon different waters, the custom 
in certain districts being to moor across stream, in others 
in a slanting direction. All we have to say upon this 
point is, that the great consideration at all times should 
be how to disturb the water as little as possible. A con- 
stant surging against the stationary boat cannot fail to 
act detrimentally as regards sport in most circumstances. 
In fishing from the bank, a tolerably stiff and strong 
rod should be employed, so as to have power over the 
quarry when it exhibits a strong and determined desire 
to retire into some thorny retreat in the bank beneath 
your feet. The novice quickly advances, upon a few 
experiences of this nature, in the piscatorial path of 
knowledge. The first impulse of the inexperienced is to 
extend the rod over the shoulder, and move backwards, 
so as to end matters speedily by extracting the hooked 
fish from his element. Matters take a sudden turn, how- 



66 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

ever, the fish running in to inspect some festooned re- 
treat. Here he speedily entwines the line in so effective 
a manner that all communication with his newly found 
acquaintance is cut off, and when matters stand thus, the 
cutting process is generally applied to the reel line as a 
closing act in the scene.* To laud an extra heavy fish 
with a limber rod would be well nigh an impossibility 
where the surroundings are unfavorable. The correct 
way to play a fish from the bank, in a powerful current, 
or still deep, is to extend the rod over the water, whilst 
the line is drawn in as rapidly as circumstances will ad- 
mit; and when a staunch tool is the sustaining medium, 
the fish cannot possibly, by anything short of a breakage, 
effect his object. The weapons not infrequently used in 
bank fishing are not only undesirably heavy and unwieldy, 
but unnecessarily so. A red that may be handled deftly, 
may be used to much greater advantage thau one a few 
feet more in length. A twenty-foot rod,f whether it be 
a salnion or merely a banking bottom rod, is a cumber- 
some implement; that, for precision of casting and dis- 
tance covering, as also for general utility, is easily sur- 
passed by a modest weapon of sixteen to eighteen feet in 
the hands of a proficient rodster. Personally, we always 
use bottom rods full two feet below the usual average 
length, no matter where we may be fishing. 

The line is the next subject for consideration. For 
bottom fishing generally, lines should invariably be as 
fine, and at the same time as strong, as it is possible to 



* The multiplying reel, so useful in the recovery of the line on an in- 
coming fish, is not esteemed by English anglers. While admitting its 
usefulness in that respect, they claim that it speedily gets out of order, 
the cogs wearing out quickly. It is evident that the almost perfect 
American makes have not been handled by our brother anglers over the 
sea. The new "automatic " reel also has not been introduced to them. 

t On the Lea, a river in England, rods of twenty-three feet are used by 
bank fishermen. 



BOTTOM FISHING. 67 

obtain them. Raw unbleached silks are infinitely stronger 
than the ordinary bleached ones. The fine " dram " silks 
are equal in strength, and occasionally superior, to the 
coarser, more bulky, and heavier. With the extra fine- 
ness of texture, it is needless for us to add the scarcity of 
the article is found to range. 

Plaited lines should always be preferred to twist, cable- 
laid though it be; the miseries of a line always twisting 
and curling being only equalled by the constant breaking 
of a tender one. A line of one-half the substance of an- 
other, if dressed in a proper manner, will be found to be 
much stiffer and less liable to "kink." With regard to 
color, in habitually discolored waters, green or sandy- 
brown should be used; in fine, clear, and open waters, a 
pale gray or cloud color is the best tint. 

No more weights or sinkers must be employed than can 
possibly be avoided. The same observation also applies 
to the float. A cork should never be used when it may 
be effectually substituted by a quill. Lastly, never use 
even a quill when no float is really needed. We have 
oftentimes made a first-rate float of a moderate-sized leaf; 
a sycamore, chestnut, birch, or oak tree, when so situated 
as to extend over the water, offers admirable facilities for 
this. A worm, fly, maggot, or what-not is attached in 
the usual way upon a slightly- weighted gut-line. A leaf 
is then procured, the shank being split up the center 
carefully until the middle of the leaf is reached. The 
" tack " (just below a knot) is then inserted in the in- 
cision, which is now closed, and occasionally it may be, 
for better security, wrapped with a scrap of silk or waxed 
thread. The leaf is fitted, and found not only to act well 
as a float, but also in the midst of a bright sunlit water 
to materially aid the guile, by shading the tackle. The 
least possible stir or movement is made manifest by the 
flat and flexible leaf. Porcupine quills are the best floats 
for all-round work. For heavy water and large fish it is 



68 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLEE. 

sometimes necessary to have these mounted with a little 
cork, but no conspicuously bright coloring matter should 
be used in its finish. A speck of bright color (say vermil- 
ion) certainly aids the eye when placed upon the tip of 
the quill, so as to project out of the water; indeed, this 
is a wrinkle that every float-fisher is not acquainted with. 
The new luminous * floats are very useful for special pur- 
poses, though we cannot say we think it probable they 
will ever become generally used, float-fishing in the dark 
not being at present a popular pastime. 

The runners appended to the float should be of rubber; 
these, being flexible, fit any ordinary-sized quill. The 
non-flexible runners are a nuisance, and should ever be 
avoided. They are always cracking when dry, and are 
highly inconvenient in more ways than one. 

The best and strongest gut (silkworm for piscatorial 
purposes) is round and smooth, clear as window-glass, or 
as the limestone spring. The milky-white glaring gut, so 
often met with, should be studiously avoided. No fair 
means will take out the white glare from a batch of 
pearly gut. Boiling dye will effect the purpose, but the 
strength and sterling usefulness of the stuff will have so 
deteriorated as to render it practically worthless. The 
opaque silkworm gut is naturally found to be inferior in 
point of strength; four lengths of the transparent and 
clear variety are found to be equal to five of the white 
and brighter kind of similar thickness. Spanish gut is 
superior to that of either India or China. The most dis- 
reputable is the Sicilian. This is found to be flat and 
tender, as also so white and opaque as to be of little util- 
ity. The Indian variety is especially noted for its exces- 
sive length. This exceeds, usually, all its compeers. The 
color is yellow, even when prepared and uncoated. No 
dying will permanently alter the shade. As regards 

* A gla6s float, containing phosphorus. 



BOTTOM FISHI3TG. 69 

strength, it ranks below the Spanish and China gut. 
Good round and sound gat should stand a strain of from 
two and a half to five pounds, according to the thickness, 
without jjarting. Before joinings are made, the ends 
should be moistened between the lips, so as to admit of 
its bedding down, and to avoid splittings; otherwise, dry 
old gut will " spilch," and break at the knots when 
forming. 

When gut is imported, it is coated with a thin, brittle, 
yellow skin, which is easily removed. This is its raw or 
unbleached state. We may here observe that often too 
much doctoring is practised in baking, boiling, bleaching, 
and unbarking the raw substance. A large class are pre- 
judiced in favor of what they term a beautiful white tint. 
This taste, unfortunately, the fish do not share; conse- 
quently, are not so easily to be duped through its 
medium. 

In clear water the gut used should be either stained a 
faint sky-blue, so as to offer no lighter or darker contrast 
to its back-ground, or be left a transparent tint, undis- 
tinguishable in the water. Some rivers are habitually 
clear, others slightly this or that shade. The view of the 
gut line should in each individual case tally. Our ances- 
tors used sorrel, brown, and white, or even black hair; 
but when used under similar circumstances with gut pre- 
pared as above, the tender, hollow hair is found far be- 
hind the age. We have, however, dealt already fully 
with the relative virtues of gut and hair. 

Bottom reels are made of almost every conceivable va- 
riety and substance. We are inclined to give preference 
to the Nottingham * spring check. This check or 

* The Nottingham reel "is usually made of wood, and in two pieces, 
the barrel of the reel upon which the line is wound turning upon a 
spindle fixed in the center of the portion which forms the immovable 
part of the reel. This is contrived so that the barrel will run with the 
utmost freedom at the lightest touch." The above description is given 
by Francis Francis, Esq., Angling Editor of " The London Field." 



70 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLEK. 

"click" action is put on at will by a movable spring, 
something after the style of the old spring stop reels. In 
the varying methods of angling now followed, a tool that 
can be regulated to any degree of action required is far 
preferable to a set contrivance, admitting of no alteration 
at will. These winches* are now made with steel centers. 



CHAPTEE VI. 



PIKE FISHING. 

SPINNING,! THE R0D -^^ND LINE; ARTIFICIAL BAITS, HOW TO USE 

THEM; FISHING STORY; LIVE BAIT FISHTNG; FLY AND 

"FROG" FISHING. 

The greedy, ferocious, and excessively gluttonous na- 
ture of this, " the fell tyrant of the liquid plain," has 
been pointed out by angling authors both ancient and 
modern. We shall, therefore, confine ourselves to the 
most approved methods now in use for its capture. Tl^ese 
may be enumerated thus, viz. : Spinning, Live Bait, and 
Dead Gorge Fishing or Trolling, and Fly Fishing. There 
is scarcely any limit to the expedients adopted for killing 
pike; frogs, mice, worms, etc., in fact, bait of every 

* " Winch " and " reel " are synonymous terms with English anglers. 
The former seems to be applied to metal reels only, and the latter to 
wooden ones, or more particularly to the one used by Nottingham 
fishermen, which, however, is occasionally made of metal. 

+ "Spinning," as described in this chapter, is performed by casting 
the bnit, natural or artificial, on the rod, from the banks of a stream. 
The English method of doing this is somewhat similar to that used by 
the striped-bass casters of this country, which is known as the Cutty- 
hmik style. The rod. however, is given more of a sweeping movement, 
and the bait, in the act of easting, is pendant live to eight feet from the 
rod-tip. The Thames or Trent method is to coil the line at the feet of 



PIKE PISHING. 71 

conceivable description meets with due appreciation when 
these fish are on the run; toads, it would appear, are the 
only creatures they reject, but a dab of yellow paint will 
make even these presentable. The spinning art, when 
skillfully practised is, beyond all dispute, the most success- 
ful system for extracting these fish; we say practised 
skillfully, not because skill is actually requisite to success, 
but merely to point out the difference between the ancient 
and rude hand trolling, and really scientific spinning, 
with rightly adapted tools and tackle. 

Spinning with the natural bait claims the precedence; 
it is practised as follows: A small fish (dace, roach, etc.), 
of three or four ounces is taken and placed upon a flight 
of hooks (the method of arrangement varying according 
to the particular nature of the flight used); one of the 
most simple and best we give upon plate III., fig. 5. 
There are other flights, consisting chiefly of a number of 
small triangles, the use of which we cannot commend. 
Accidents are far too rife with substantial hooks to make 
it worth one's while to risk anything by the insufficiency 
of one's appointments. The complicated nature of most 
flights renders it extremely difficult for the novice to bait 

the caster, or wind it around the left hand as described on a previous 
page of the text, or, " by gathering up the line in the palm of the hand 
by an up and down motion, something like that of a weaver with a shut- 
tle." The Nottingham style of casting from the reel is identical with 
that in use by the float fishermen on the salt water bays and estuaries 
adjacent to the city of New York. A somewhat similar method, barring 
the use of the rod, may also be seen daily, in the white perch season, on 
the Delaware River above tide-water. The fishers anchor their boat at 
the head of a likely " swim " and cast their hand-lines, allowing the float 
to drift with the current, sometimes for an hundred yards or more, until 
the action of the float indicates the presence of a shoal of fish. The 
fishermen, then, by quietly drawing the anchor a foot or so from the 
bottom, allow the boat to drift down stream and then softly drop the 
" killick," when within easy fishing distance of the perch, which are 
gathered in great herds, as it were, to the number of thousands. We 
have been present when a score of 1300 perch was made by three lines 
in a morning's fishing. 



72 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

them properly, so as to enable them to describe the or- 
dinary revolutions. In this tackle, no difficulty of this 
nature is encountered. The lip-hook is inserted through 
the upper and lower lips of the bait, so as to close the 
mouth, the most slender hook of the triangle pierces the 
side, leaving the larger span of hooks unencumbered; 
lastly, the tail of the bait is made to form a slight curve 
by inserting the end hook, so as to cause the bait to swim 
in a wobbling sort of way. At certain times this motion 
proves very effective in alluring the quarry. The state- 
ments bearing upon this point, given in another chapter 
(trout spinning), apply with equal significance to pike 
spinning. Pike flights may, however, be used perfectly 
straight, as by the use of a small F. G-.* spinner and 
swivel combined, which can be placed a yard or so above 
the bait, perfect action is secured, the lure revolving well, 
and in a direct line, a great desideratum in bait spinning, 
especially in the case of the rapacious pike, as he is even 
more apt than other species to miss the whirling turn- 
tailed bait. , 

A diagram of this very useful metal appendage to the 
midwater fisher, is given on plate III., fig. 4. 

The rod for pike is now made little more than one-half 
the former dimensions; the cumbersome tool of from fif- 
teen to twenty feet is being discarded in favor of a more 
efficient implement of about nine or ten feet. The old 
swing movement for getting out the bait is quite sur- 
passed by w r hat may be termed the spring motion; the 
fisherman's right angle is reduced by this change, his 
general style and comfort vastly improved, and success 
rendered more sure. To the uninitiated, the idea of 
reducing the rod would imply a corresponding lessening 
of the power of the rodster; but this is exactly the reverse 



* For the " Fishing Gazette " spinner (see plate III.), an examination 
of which will explain its construction more lucidly than a diffuse de- 
scription. 



PIKE FISHING. 73 

of the actual result, for instead of limiting this power 
over general surroundings, it largely augments it. In 
the first instance, his casting powers are greatly increased, 
he being able to fish a much larger area from a given 
standing point, the precise limits varying according to 
the amount of practical skill shown by the operator. 
The possible limit with the old long rods was forty yards, 
or thereabouts; but since the introduction of the short 
ones, the cast that fails to exceed sixty yards is considered 
nothing extraordinary. Secondly, the angler retains far 
greater command over the bait with a short rod; the large 
size of the upright rings, which are less in number, offer 
comparatively little resistance to the free passage of the 
line, thus causing the bait by leverage to carry out pro- 
digious lengths of line, which would, under the tradi- 
tional system, have been considered simply impossible. 
The style of using these modern pike rods is founded 
upon the fork stick principle of trolling; the weighted 
natural or heavy artificial is attached to a limp though 
strong plaited silk line, which is usually undressed, being 
simply waxed to take out "kinks" and "turns." This 
is mounted upon a large Nottingham reel, which is 
arranged to run freely. 

When these appliances are procured, the result some- 
times exceeds the most sanguine anticipations. The very 
largest fish are held more under control, and are much 
more easily landed when a short and sturdy rod is employ- 
ed; whilst as regards wear, our readers need not be told 
that the more timber used, and the more lanky the im- 
plement is, the less is its durability. * 

With regard to the artificial baits for pike, much might 
be said. Their variety is endless, ranging from the 
clumsy-looking spoon to the gaudy glass bait. Speaking 

* Our author's ideas of trolling and casting rods approach nearer the 
American standard, than those of anv other English writer on angling. 
4 



74 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

of spoon baits reminds us that there has of late been an 
improvement of importance in their construction, we 
refer to the " Colorado." At the hollow side of the 
dished metal is placed a barrel-shaped lead upon a wire, 
around which lead and wire revolves the spoon itself, it 
having a pair of flanges at its upper or narrow end. The 
conspicuous triangle fixed at the extremity is partially 
hid by a tag or tassel of vermilion wool, secured by flat 
silver tinsel. Its action when in the water is really ad- 
mirable, and great things are reported as having been 
accomplished since its comparatively recent introduction. 
We never did believe in " spooning," but since the inven- 
tion of the " Colorado "* our sentiments have undergone 
somewhat of a change. For the capture of the very 
heaviest pike in river or lake this bait is particularly well 
adapted. Metal casts of fry mounted in various ways are 
now to be obtained. In many of these much ingenuity 
is displayed, as notably in the different makes of " Greg- 
ory" baits, some of which spin upon their own axis; 
these for rotary motion are perhaps unequalled, others 
being jointed and thus flexible, while others again are 
stationary, relying as per precedent upon the upper swivels 
for freedom in spinning. Many of the above are colored 
with a view to the effect when in action. Other baits are 
representations of some distinct species of fish, as gud- 
geon, dace, etc. These are for the most part constructed 
from gutta-percha, rubber, etc. They are often much 
esteemed when stationary; they may please the human 
eye, but fail to meet with due appreciation from the fish 
when in action. The general curved shape of the body 
acts very detrimentally in causing the line to describe a 
spiral or corkscrew flight, which is calculated to miss what 
fish may deign to essay an acquaintance. The " Phan- 



* The spinning baits named by the author are not in general use in 
America; the exceptions being the " Phantom " (the Imbrie improved), 
and the Devon or Angle. 



PIKE FISHING. 75 

torn " is another bait not well adapted for rough work, 
owing to its liability to sustain damage from the keen 
teeth of the pike. 

The best "artificials" to rely upon, when "naturals" 
run short, we give as follows, viz., the "Gregory," "Clip- 
per," "Wheeldon," "Windsor Bee," and "Excelsior." 
Most anglers have a marked partiality for heavy brass 
gimp, of thrice the necessary thickness. Gimp should be 
no thicker or stronger than is absolutely requisite, and 
should be of the best quality, having the finest raw silk 
centre. In common gimp, which is disposed of by the 
manufacturers by weight, the wire is much too thick, the 
proportion of silk being less accordingly. It is, how- 
ever, made very fine and strong indeed, of very little more 
substance than stout lake gut. The best gimp is usually 
made bright, and excessively fine in wire. Before this is 
used it should be slightly stained with logwood and cop- 
peras, with just enough of the latter to darken the dye. 
This removes the glare, and effects a great improvement. 
Having advised as to the equipment of the pike spinners, 
we shall now proceed to lay down a few directions as to 
the most artistic and successful method of using them 
that commonly followed upon the Thames. The line 
should not be worked from the reel nor yet from the 
feet,* as commonly practised, but from the left hand, 
around the fourth finger and thumb, off which it is 
wound rapidly crosswise. The motion thus conveyed to 
the bait works it well if rightly accomplished; some 
anglers simply haul in the line by instalments into the 
palm of the hand, but this is anything but sportsman- 
like. The bait is delivered to the spot desired in the 
following manner: — Line to about half the length of the 
rod is let out with the bait ready fixed at its extremity, 
the length of line required for the proposed cast being 

* From coils on the ground. 



76 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

first -wound round the distended thumb and finger in the 
manner above described; this done, the bait must be put 
in motion, a backward and forward leverage is given 
which should be rapidly increased, and now an effective 
springing jerk of the rod, just as the bait reaches the ex- 
treme backward point, sends it out quickly, taking off 
the line from the disengaged hand in its flight. The 
point of the rod must be held so as to admit of the bait 
traveling as near as possible in midwater. When the 
rodster experiences a tug at the extremity of his line he 
should strike instantly, but firmly; too heavy striking, 
it must be remembered, is highly dangerous; it imperils 
the safety of the tackle as well as the fish. A clumsy or 
too impetuous striker will frequently break away hooks 
and trace, or, failing that, the hold of the, hooks from the 
mouth of the fish; it is therefore incumbent upon the 
tyro to exercise a little judicious care and calculation in 
driving home his steel into the bony jaws of the fish. 
Practice and experience are the mentors upon which the 
young asjnrant must rely for proficiency in these matters. 
Rare sport is sometimes afforded by well-conditioned fish 
when lightly hooked and handled, and many instances 
are on record of fierce fights; not that the pike is noted 
for gameness, rather the reverse, but in exceptional cases 
when an extraordinary fish is struck great sport is often 
afforded. 

The largest pike we ever killed was taken upon a stout 
salmon spinning trace, the flight being mounted upon 
the heaviest gimp. We were fishing in preserved water in 
a neighboring western county, and had hooked a pickerel 
a few odd pounds weight; when we were about to land 
the fish, the gleaming broadside of some larger relation 
of the family shone in the background, an instant, 
and then a heavy tug demonstrated the fact that our 
possession of the prey was disputed. Comprehending 
the situation, we let out line with the earnest hope that 



PIKE FISHING. 77 

this considerate exhibition of feeling would meet with 
due appreciation; nor were we disappointed, for after the 
lapse of a few minutes, which, under the circumstances 
it must be admitted, seemed rather long ones, the fun 
began. We were in sole possession of a light punt upon 
an extensive sheet of water, and thus, having plenty of 
sea room, we were rather confident as to the result. At 
the first gentle touch of the rod, the fish ran out fully 
half-a-hundred yards of line, at one impetuous rush, des- 
pite the heavy strain placed upon the rod. A heavier 
reserve was now put on the remaining portion of line 
through the medium of the rod, but here we discovered 
our command over him to be considerably less than we 
calculated, for such was the determination of the hooked 
fish to explore the other side of the lake, that the punt 
began to move in chase. To reserve the remainder of our 
line would tend to aggravate the nuisance, to let it run 
meant disaster. "Whilst we hesitated we unconsciously 
stopped further supply of line, of which fact we were 
forcibly reminded by the rapid motion of the punt as it 
progressed across the water. Just as we had resolved to 
break away from the fish he suddenly doubled, making 
straight for the punt — we hauled in the loose line in coils 
at our feet as actively as was practicable under the cir- 
cumstances — the next instant he dashed off with renewed 
vigor at right angles, and we again strained heavily 
upon every foot he stole, despite which our whole stock 
was all but spent before he again turned. For more than 
an hour was this operation of hauling in and paying out 
line repeated without ceasing, at the end of which time 
the final tragic end seemed as remote as ever. By this 
time several stable functionaries from the adjoining man- 
sion arrived upon the scene, among whom a learned con- 
troversy ensued as to the probable weight and breed of a 
fish capable of towing a man and a boat with impunity. 
As the fish swerved along shore in their immediate prox- 



78 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

imity all dispute suddenly dropped, and we observed, 
what had previously escaped our notice, namely, a large 
stable fork in the possession of a bandy-legged individual 
who had stepped forward, fork in hand, ready for action. 
Before we could interfere a wild thrust was made, which, 
however, fell short of the mark, as may very easily be 
imagined ; nevertheless it well nigh ended the fight, the 
terrified fish making for less dangerous quarters at a rate 
that eclipsed all previous exploits, the pressure upon the 
line availing little beyond keeping the snout of the fish 
above the water's surface. After this final rush a reaction 
set in, the fish for the first time showing signs of fatigue, 
which speedily developed into complete exhaustion. To 
consummate the capture by gaffing and boarding was 
now a very easy matter, and successfully accomplished. 
The weight of the fish proved to be thirty-seven pounds 
and three-quarters. It was preserved and cased by the 
owner of the water, to whom it was preseuted, with the 
tail of the pickerel protruding from its extended jaw. 

Live baiting is another favorite method of fishing for 
pike. The tackle requisite for this style of angling is 
shown on plate II., fig. 6. This is used with or without 
the barrel-lead. As the name implies, the bait is used 
alive, the small hook on the triangle is inserted carefully 
in the root of the back fin, the large span of hooks being 
loose at the side. The lure is then allowed to roam at 
will. It is necessary to employ none but the finest and 
best stained gimp. The reel line, too, should be both 
fine and strong, the lighter in weight the better. The 
line usually used in live-baiting for Thames trout is 
seldom much thicker than a piece of ordinary thread. 
The requisite substance and strength vary with the 
weight of the fish the line is intended to hold. The line 
referred to in roach-fishing would answer equally well for 
pike of sixteen pounds and under, as it would for Thames 
trout. The actual dead-weight sustaining powers range 



PIKE FISHIXG. 79 

exactly double, when the substance is an animated body- 
in water ; thus, if a gut line will just raise three pounds 
from the dead level of the ground, it will hold a fish of 
six pounds in water, and this difference is still greater 
when a pliable rod is the sustaining medium. It is 
therefore the greatest folly to employ needlessly powerful 
tackle even for pike. 

We, nevertheless, advise the use of tackle needful for 
the largest fish of the species you may be angling for, 
that are known to be present in the length fished. To 
omit so doing would be to remove all prospects of landing 
a good fish ; but exaggeration is rife in these matters, 
and the popular idea is, that the most powerful tackle is 
essential for successful pike-fishing, of whatever nature 
it may be. But to return, the movements of the roving 
bait must be carefully observed where practicable ; and 
if, owing to the state of the water, this is not possible, 
the rodster must follow the movements of the bait by the 
feel conveyed by the line, and care must be taken not to 
distress the bait, or it will soon be exhausted. When a 
fish takes the bait, a minute or two should be allowed 
him to gorge it. In some localities the custom is to use 
a single gimp hook, which is attached to the upper lip of 
the bait ; this, however, causes it to move in an unnatural 
way, with the tail uppermost, and cannot be said to equal 
the method previously described. 

We now come to fly-fishing for pike. That these fish 
would take a natural fly is even less probable than in the 
case of salmon. A jack will come with evident gusto at 
a bird, just as he would at a rat, therefore it is essential 
that the artificial should be of very unusual proportions. 
Discarded salmon flies, of large size, render good account 
amongst pike; a regular pike-fly, generally speaking, is a 
clumsy combination of peacock eye or sword feathers, 
cock pheasant's hackles, gaudy Berlin wool or worsted, 
gilt or silver tinsel, and glass beads; the peacock doing 



80 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

service for wings, pheasant for legs, beads for eyes, and 
the remainder forming the body.* 

The largest fish seem most partial to the fly ; whether 
it is that they are hunger-bitten, or whether they rise in 
the spirit of wantonness, we cannot pretend to say. 
From the position of the eyes, situated as they are upon 
the top of the head, he naturally sees more directly above 
than around. In the northern lakes, pike are very often 
taken with the fly wherever they abound, whenever they 
are in the humour for rising, for like all other species, 
they have their off and on terms, even when in season. 

In a work devoted solely to the more scientific methods 
of taking fish, it may appear out of place to refer to what 
are sometimes deemed repulsive styles or systems. We 
would, however, crave the forbearance of those of our 
readers whose sentiments may savor of these, for a brief 
space, as we cannot- omit a few remarks upon frog-fishing 
for pike, which is held in such high repute by veteran 
pike-fishers. The style most in vogue is to work the frog 
as a live bait; the hook, which should be of special length, 
strength, and size, should be passed through the bottom 
lip, and under the stomach, the bend being then secured 
to the thigh of one of the hind legs by a scrap of silk of 
the right shade. This is conveyed through an opening 
in the foliage on the banks of the water, a few odd feet 
only of the line being out. When through, a gentle 
swing motion is described by the line and the lure, a 
sudden lurch or spring being given when at some dis- 
tance, to reach the spot desired; the line, as before stated, 



*Mr. W. Thomson, a practical angler, residing in Barric, Ont., in a 
communication to "The American Angler," states, that upon ob- 
serving a flock of young ducks disappear, one by one, when feeding 
along the edges of the weeds, and suspicious that a pike was the cause, 
he procured a bunch of greenish yellow Berlin wool anil fashioned it 
into the rude shape of a duckling. With this clumsy lure, he soon 
landed a well-conditioned pike of uearly fourteen pounds. 



Plate 3. 



IMPROVED PATERNOSTER 



TACKLE CASE 




81 



PIKE FISHIKG. 83 

being wound round the distended thumb and finger. 
Another plan is to dape and sink alternately with this 
bait, which is also very deadly. Artificial frogs are now 
to be had that answer the purpose almost equally with 
the not always to be procured living ones. The legs upon 
these are so constructed as to admit of life-like action 
when in the water. 



CHAPTEE VII. 
SPINNING FOR TROUT. 

THE THAMES AND TRENT STYLE ; SPINNING IN DISCOLORED AND 
CLEAR WATER ; MINNOW FLIGHTS, HOW TO USE THEM ; AR- 
TIFICIAL BAITS ; THE ROD, LINE, REEL ; FLIGHT CANS. 

If it is important to know the haunts of the trout 
when fly-fishing, it is doubly so when trolling or spinning, 
as then no circling eddy betrays the habitual feeding 
grounds. In small streams . and rapid brooks, however, 
this is not of nearly so great importance. Large fish gen- 
erally locate in some secluded curl, not far from a deep 
hole, whither they return upon being disturbed or 
"knocked off the feed." The best and most likely places 
upon the whole river's length are sure to be tenanted by 
the largest fish, the second best fish are in the immediate 
vicinity, and take up the position of the extracted heavier 
one. When large trout are killed upon the open stream, 
it is a sign of their being out on the "forage," and great 
execution ought then to be effected. There are quite as 
many grades of minnow-spinners as there are of fly- 
fishers, ranging from the old method of trawling or trol- 
ling with heavy primitive tackle iu discolored water, to 
the scientific Thames and Trent style, which is to stand 



84 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

at a weir or waterfall, and dexterously work the bait in 
the surging boil of water, near and far away, a fifty yards 
cast beiug deemed nothing at all wonderful ; but distance 
is uot of so much importance as is a thorough command 
of the line, which should be gathered by the disengaged 
left hand, so that no slack hangs about anywhere. To 
acquire the art of casting should be the iirst care of the 
rodster, whether he aspires to bait or fly. When able to 
pitch the bait fifteen or twenty yards, and from wrist 
motion to gently insert into water in a way that will not 
have the effect of disturbing the feeding fish, he may con- 
gratulate himself on having acquired the leading qualifi- 
cation requisite to become an adept in the spinning art. 

The water that happens to be nearest the rodster should 
be fished first, afterwards the centre and opposite sides, 
and lastly, the obscure and more difficult spots to reach. 
There the best fish are to be taken. The parts usually 
to be preferred are the heads and tails of streams ; the 
few yards of turbulent water at the head of the stream 
being generally the most productive. 

The speed at which the bait is drawn should be gradu- 
ated in accordance with the state and color of the water. 
For instance, in the event of the water being thick and 
turbid, a much slower motion should be given to the bait, 
just sufficient to spin it, in fact. The bait, Avhether 
natural or artificial, should work freely at the slightest 
pull in slow running water; upon the other hand, in the 
clearest possible water, the lure should be brought round 
at a moderately steady sweep, not with a jerking motion. 
A sudden stoppage in clear water has the effect rather of 
alarming than appeasing the natural suspicions of the 
acute and well-schooled heavy fish; but, in highly dis- 
colored water, the ''halting'' or jerking motion is abso- 
lutely necessary to enable the fish both to see and seize 
the bait. Behind a projecting rock or bank, where the 
water is comparatively quiet, no matter whether shallow 



SPINNING TOE TEOUT. 85 

or deep, the fish congregate, as the thick, swollen streams 
cannot be stemmed, and are therefore avoided. Here 
the fish fall an easy prey to the mid- water or minnow- 
fisher, as what is known as minnow daping or dabbing 
(i.e., giving the bait the slow, whirling motion of a sickly 
fish) often produces exceptionally heavy takes, even when 
the water is bank full, and, figuratively speaking, as 
thick as a "pea soup." But this method of extracting 
fish at an. undue advantage we detest, as being unsports- 
manlike in the extreme. We have frequently observed 
individuals (we do not say fishermen) upon hooking a 
fish in such circumstances, with the strongest possible 
tackle, literally turn tail upon the water by shouldering 
the rod and walking away until the hooked fish b ' flaps " 
high and dry on the bank. It is some consolation, how- 
ever, that these gentlemen (?) occasionally catch a "tar- 
tar" in the shape of a hidden stump, root, or pile, in 
which case the diversion is pleasantly varied by a "flap" 
or snap of the tackle, and total loss of bait. 

We do not encourage minnow fishing in temporarily 
discolored water. It is too sure a way for real sport. Ab- 
solute certainty in the pursuit of game destroys the keen- 
ness, and takes off the edge, so to speak, of one's feeling 
of enjoyment when success is in no way dependent upon 
personal skill. With the finest tackle, in clear water and 
weather, there is more real satisfaction to be derived from 
the successful capture of a fine, well-fed fish than in forty 
such taken by unfair means. The minnow-spinner, in 
clear and rapid streams, should always, where practicable, 
cast up-stream, bringing the bait across and down by a 
judicious working of the rod from the wrist. As a rule, 
drawing against stream should be avoided. It is un- 
natural for a deformed or sickly fish to attempt any feat 
of the kind; and not only this, when spinning the natural 
minnow the force of the current causes the bait to assume 
a very unnatural attitude in the water, especially when 



86 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

the movable lip hook is used; therefore, up-hill spiuuing 
should be avoided. The angler should ever remember 
that the secret of success lies mainly in the motion of the 
spinning bait. The theory of bait spinning is founded 
upon the well-known propensities of the heavy fish for 
weakly fry, which accounts for the otherwise unaccount- 
able fact of the well spun bait being seized from the very 
midst of a shoal of living minnows. The peculiar forms 
of many substitutes for natural minnows act detrimen- 
tally as regards hooking fish. Take the old turn-tailed 
family of artificials for example. Watch the peculiar 
motions of a specimen as you slowly bring it through the 
clear water. You observe that it describes a kind of 
corkscrew motion. This, especially when accomplished 
rapidly, will entice fish far oftener than it will hook them; 
long practice dictates that nine "runs" make one cap- 
ture, through the instrumentality of these curved or turn- 
tailed " artificials." What is needed is a perfectly straight 
bait, when an artificial is employed, no matter whether 
the spinning propellers or Archimedean flies be at the 
head or the tail. So far as this is concerned it will then 
take a direct "pigeon " flight through the water, moving 
an equal number of fish, whilst being more effective in 
hooking them. In natural minnow-spinning this is not 
of so much importance, the fish that "goes" for the 
natural bait without getting hooked, will more frequently 
come again, not meeting with so hard a substance. The 
minnow flight we have found preferable to those generally 
in use, we give on plate III., fig. 1. The minnow is 
placed upon the tackle in the following manner: First, 
the lead is inserted in the mouth of the fish, the lips be- 
ing closed by the movable lip hook. This done the bait 
is pierced through from the one side to the other with 
the large hook, which should be so placed as to keep the 
lead well up in the minnow's back. Lastly, one of the 
pair of tail hooks should be made to slightly curl the tail 



SPINNING FOE TKOUT. 87 

of the minnow. When this arrangement of hooks is 
correctly inserted the bait is more secure, and will he 
found to last longer than when mounted in the older and 
general style. 

The most objectionable ''flights" are those consisting 
of a number of small hooks, whether triangular or other- 
wise; the ease with which they are broken renders them 
an abomination when used amongst weighty fish. An- 
other arrangement, which is also very good, whilst being 
very simple to fit up for use, is the old leaded wire tackle, 
which, in lieu of the two side flanges, is fitted with a tiny 
"Fishing Gazette" spinner, plate III., fig. 3. The bait 
is mounted merely by thrusting the weighted wire down 
the mouth, the position being rendered secure by means 
of the side hooks, which are to be partly hidden in the 
minnow. For strong currents this tackle is well adapted, 
its action in the water being perfectly straight and nat- 
ural; for more open streams the first referred to is recom- 
mended, as being all that can be reasonably desired. In 
most waters the natural minnow is preferable, when pro- 
curable. In some streams the skillfully used artificial 
will, however, not only turn over as many fish, but will 
kill even more than the natural, the hooks upon it hav- 
ing greater play, while being hid in a measure by better 
spinning action. Amongst the many " artificials " now 
in use, we may mention a few of those that are most dis- 
tinguished for deadly cnialities. The "Devon" or "Totnes" 
(improved pattern), the "Derby Trout Killer," the "Uni- 
versal Killer," and "Foster's Excelsior." The first named 
is an old reliable bait, originally introduced by a clever 
Devonshire fisherman. Improvements have lately been 
made in its construction, which renders it perhaps one of 
the most effective baits for "all round" fishing that has 
hitherto appeared. The bait is heavier metalled, German 
silver being substituted for the plated brass formerly 
used. The side flanges are larger and heavier, which 



88 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

materially increases the spinning powers, and altogether 
the changes effected have considerably added to its value, 
and are likely to enhance still more its already extensive 
rejDutation. The "Derby Trout Killer" was introduced in 
Derbyshire about the same period as the "Totnes" was in 
Devon. This bait is more especially adapted for fine 
waters. It is a capital bait for scientific fishing, as, for 
instance, in the middle of a hot day in July or August, 
when the flies, to avoid the sun's rays secrete themselves 
in the shades of the neighboring foliage, and the fish 
refuse to rise in consequence; then does the "Trout 
Killer " distinguish himself in circumstances when spin- 
ning would appear the most unlikely style or system of 
fishing. So effective is this bait in some localities that it 
is there known as the "Derby kill-devil." The hooks 
and bait are delicately made, the better to adapt them 
for this method of fishing. The finest trace and swivel 
are essential to success in these circumstances. 

The "Universal Killer" and the "Excelsior" are both 
metal baits (the latter solid), the former being an exceed- 
ingly "natty" little thing, well suited for rough and 
turbulent brooklets, the tributaries of our main trouting 
streams. The spinning power is placed at the tail of this 
bait. This is considered an especial advantage by some 
anglers, as trout frequently "come" at the head of the 
minnow. 

The special advantages in the " Excelsior" are the extra 
weight — it being almost double that of any bait of the 
same size and dimensions — which enables the tyro to spin 
and cast with ease and success, with but little practice. 
•Its durability adapts it for general use amongst pike, 
perch, chub, trout, or salmon. The hooks are fixed in 
the bait without gut, being eyed triangles of heavy metal; 
the nuisance of hooks breaking away through faulty gut 
is thus obviated. 

Upon the choice of colors much depends, as trout are 



SPIKNIKG FOR TROUT. 89 

partial to a change in this respect. Take as an illustra- 
tion — upon a recent occasion having been requested to 
test the killing qualities of a new artificial, we had re- 
paired to a famous brooklet, and had succeeded in creeling 
some four brace of good fish from a confined length of a 
hundred and fifty yards, which was the extent of our 
permit. All further dealings were ignored after this be- 
ing accomplished, though we had moved many more fish 
than we had taken. Something like half an hour elapsed 
without our turning over a single fin. Upon this we put 
another bait of a totally different shade, when in action, 
upon the line, and commenced, and in the course of the 
next twenty minutes five more fish were landed, when the 
fish again turned stupid; but upon a bright metal bait, 
without coloring matter at all, being presented to them, 
two more brace were taken. Beyond doubt the fish's eye 
and palate are tickled by a change occasionally. 

We invariably advocate the use of the very finest possi- 
ble tackle for mid-water fishing in low and clear water. 
The popular belief would appear to be strongly in favor 
of the reverse; for bait spinning under all circumstances, 
scarcely anything can be more erroneous. The accom- 
plished scientific troller will extract fish where it is 
usually deemed almost an impossibility. And when an 
incredulous bungler fails to effect a single capture, and 
returns troutless and dispirited from the well-stocked 
stream, fair sport will often accompany the rodster who 
is really a master of the trolling art. 

The Eod, to be suitable for spinning, should be bamboo 
or cane, light and stiff, and from twelve to fourteen feet 
in length for open water; but for small streams eleven or 
twelve feet is recommended as being quite long enough. 
The sixteen and eighteen feet double-handed rods, usually 
advocated, are now deemed much too cumbrous, and are 
rapidly being discarded. ' The greater utility of a single- 
handed light rod has long been obvious to a large class of 



90 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLEK. 

anglers, and its admirers are yearly extending. East 
India cane is the best adapted for rods where stiffness 
and lightness are essential, it being extremely strong, 
though reasonably pliable. The rod we use ourselves for 
this style of angling is but ten feet iu length, the rings, 
however, are large and stationary, and we find no diffi- 
culty in casting to eighty or ninety feet with a tool of 
this description. The rings upon spinning rods should 
all be upright and of fair size, so as to admit of a free and 
unencumbered passage for the line when carried out by 
the weight of the bait in casting. Where the fish do not 
run large, an ordinary fly-rod answers admirably for 
spinning purposes, when a short stiff top-piece is substi- 
tuted for the slender fly-top joint, the only drawback be- 
ing the minute loose rings, which hinder the free passage 
of the line. 

The Line should be plaited silk, waterproof, of about 
one-half the usual thickness of a dressed fly-line; forty or 
fifty yards are required for any water more open than 
small brooklets, etc. Nothing is so trying to a line as 
bait spinning; and if it is desirable to keep the line sound 
for a long period, it should never be worked undressed 
and unprotected, or a very short time — when constantly 
used — will serve to rot and fray it, so as to render it unfit 
for use. Twist or cable-laid lines are also of little utility, 
as after a severe trial the reel frequently resembles a ball 
of loose hemp or tow, the turn or twist having in part 
been taken out by the spinning action of the bait. The 
new acme wire lines are now being used for all-round fish- 
ing, but they are best adapted for the fly. 

The Reel, as in pike fishing, should be of the im- 
proved Nottingham type. Some of these are made of 
metal, some of wood; the best of the latter are metal- 
bound, these are greatly to be preferred to the original 
all-wood patterns, no inconvenience being experienced 
from the wood swelling. The free action of these Not- 



SPI^KIKG FOR TROUT. 91 

tingham reels is their great recommendation — practice 
will enable the angler to work efficiently. A thorough 
command of both rod, reel, and line is necessary to com- 
fort in fishing. In scientific spinning a slight touch with 
the fourth finger of the hand holding the rod is sufficient 
to regulate the supply of line and the progress of the bait. 
These reels are now made with a check, which is made to 
act at the will of the rodster by the action of a small 
movable spring. Some winches are made of ebonite for 
spinning purposes; these are scarcely, we think, so desira- 
ble, as they are apt to break by a fall. 

Artificial baits may be safely and conveniently carried 
in a small partitioned tin case, as they are liable to be 
very troublesome if carelessly placed in the over-crowded 
fly book, as when brushing through a stile, or surmount- 
ing a gate or other obstacles, the fisher may perhaps have 
a personal and undeniably practical experience of the 
efficiency of his own steel, which will have anything but 
a soothing effect upon the feelings. August is the best 
month in the whole season for trout spinning in the 
smaller rivers and rapid brooks, and the novice will then 
do well to stay after sunset, and fish until twilight. 



92 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLES. 



CHAPTER VIII. 



WORM FISHING FOR TROUT. 

ANTIQUITY OF WORM FISHING ; BUSH FISHING ; TACKLE REQUI- 
SITE ; "TRAWLING" FOR TROUT; SCIENTIFIC WORM FISHING. 

The term Worm fishing, to many minds, conveys rather 
an obnoxious impression, anglers being as a class rather 
apt to ignore what has for ages been considered the most 
primitive bait for the simplest and most ancient method 
of fishing. As a lure for trout, until a recent period, 
the worm was but little used. We shall endeavour to 
show that this lure may be artistically and scientifically 
worked in clear and rapid trout streams, wherever situate. 

Worm fishing in discolored water, it is well known, 
is practicable under circumstances when other experi- 
ments usually fail. Here the simplicity of the system 
pursued is exemplary of the art as practised by our fore- 
fathers ; a cork float, leaded line, large hook, and stout 
gut, constituted the customary rig-out. In swollen 
streams fish congregate at the circulating side eddies, 
whether in or out of the usual water-course. Here the 
fisherman inserts the bait, and as an undue advantage is 
extended to the rodster by the thickened state of the 
water, the largest and best fish by no means unfrequentl y 
meet with an untimely end. To this unsportsmanlike 
method we venture to assert that no true fisherman will 
devote himself. Let there be clear water, clear weather, 
and clear scope for observation, and man may with a 
clear conscience pit his superior intelligence against the 
animal instincts of the brute creation. 



WORM FISHIKG FOR TROUT. 93 

Bush fishing,* in some localities more correctly termed 
bush fighting, is another type of worming for trout. 
This, as the appellation implies, is the plan adopted upon 
well- wooded streams or brooks, which are practically in- 
accessible to the fly- fisher. Here the angler adroitly 
pitches his lure in every likely and unlikely looking nook, 
behind stones, by the roots of overhanging bushes, under 
shelving banks, etc. For the especial behoof of the nov- 
ice we would observe that great caution should be exer- 
cised against uselessly scaring the fish from their custom- 
ary locations. Indiscretion in this respect will spoil all 
chances of sport ; therefore every interposing object, as 
bushes, etc., should be utilized, and the rodster should 
invariably fish up stream, as by that means not only will 
his bait act as herald in advance, but he has the addi- 
tional advantage of being able to take note carefully of 
the particular position tenanted by the fish, and to regu- 
late his cast accordingly. For bush fishing a short stiff 
rod is necessary, or it will be found next to impossible to 
keep the fish out of mischief when hooked. It is essen- 
tially necessary that the capture should be consummated 
as early as is consistent with the strength of the tackle. 
Of course there is no necessity for reviving early customs 
by attempting to extract one's fish in the earnest style of 
early youth, viz., at a strictly perpendicular angle. On 
the contrary, a judicious respite may be granted when 
circumstances permit. 

The angler must never lose sight of the fact that in 
clear water his bait is very much more distinct on its 
merits, than when that element is discolored. It behooves 
him, therefore, not to disturb its natural progress, which 
is varied by the ever moving waters. Thus if the lure be 

* This paragraph will at once recall to the reader the proverbial coun- 
try bumpkin, who, with his clumsy tackle and uncannie ways, always 
scores more fish on a trout stream than the scientific angler with his 
perfected outfit. The boy knows the holes and bushwhacks the fish. 



94 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLEK. 

gently dropped in a tiny eddy, its circulating motions 
are not to be hampered and foiled by the line creating a 
ripple and disturbance in the immediate proximity of the 
fish upon the look-out for food. It is seldom advisable 
to cast more than once in the same place ; when neatly 
and carefully done, the bait will be readily seized if 
at all. 

The tackle requisite for worm fishing in clear water, 
differs considerably from that used in what is discolored, 
no float being used, and except in rapid torrents, "sink- 
ers" of any description are not necessary. About a 
yard-and-a-half of moderately thick gut is generally em- 
ployed, at the extremity of which is placed one or more 
Kendal or Carlisle hooks, (size, six in single, seven or 
eight if double or treble). These should be attached to 
the gut with cerise or rose-colored silk, so as to match 
the bait in point of color. The hooks should be white, 
to prevent them from shining plainly through the bait, 
which latter should be small, lively, and of good color, 
no matter whether it be a brandling or cockspur, or even 
a small lob- worm, so long as it is lively and vigorous, in- 
stead of being limp, pale, and apparently lifeless. An 
excellent way of making really durable bottom tackle is 
to whip a minute scrap of roach, or any other fine line, 
upon the bare shank of the end hook, so as to form a 
small and well-nigh invisible loop, which will be found 
of great utility in general bottom fishing. The very finest 
gut may be attached by means of a slip knot, without 
even a chance of its "knocking off" at the head, as is 
the usual result of a small amount of heavy wear. "When 
baiting, the worm should be carefully threaded up the 
gut, a small portion of each extremity of the bait being 
left free, to have as natural an effect as possible. When- 
ever a small or a solitary hook is employed, the rodster 
will allow a moment's breathing time ere he gently strikes. 
By this means it is more than probable that he will sue- 



"WORM FISHING FOE TROUT. 95 

ceed in obtaining a safe anchorage amongst the side mus- 
cles of the fish's mouth ; hut a trio of hooks, the Stewart 
tackle, for instance, requires no such hesitation. We have 
frequently known young anglers miss every fish they have 
succeeded in moving during an extremely favorable 
period, in which they might have effected much, 
had they displayed a moderate amount of discretion and 
aptness. 

Another description of worm fishing in rapid waters, 
is to run out a long thin line, resembling the usual blow- 
line, in substance and weight, at the end of which a 
couple of yards of fine gut is attached, having a worm 
tackle fixed at its extremity. A stand is then made by 
some suitable swim, and the bait is allowed to travel with 
the stream. The line should be kept sufficiently straight 
to admit of a fish being instantly struck, as the length of 
line usually out allows amply (sometimes too long) for 
the proper seizure of the bait. This is a fairly -good 
method upon tolerably open water. The chief feature, 
indeed we may say the secret of success in worm fishing, 
in clear water, is keeping, as much as is possible, out of 
sight. When the attention of fish is attracted by surface 
food they are scarcely so keen as to the movements upon 
the banks and sides of their element; but when not pre- 
occupied in this way, their organs of sight have ample 
scope and leisure for their full exercise. 

And now we come to the more scientific style of using 
the worm. This is practised more particularly in the 
spring and early summer months. The bait is attached 
to the end of a treble extra-fine fly lash, by means of a 
worm tackle of three-hook power, when it is thrown as a 
fly, and worked upon the "cast and draw " system of fly 
fishing, with this difference, the bait is allowed to sink a 
few inches after each delivery upon the water. By this 
means, fish of the heaviest calibre are often taken. The 
produce of a single rod, when wielded by an adept, will 



96 THE SCIEXTIFIC AXGLER. 

often exceed the joint takes of several orthodox fly fishers, 
more especially if the said rod be assiduously worked in 
early morn, during the first few hours of daylight, just 
as the fish commence to move playfully, as though de- 
monstrating pleasure at the advent of yet another day. 
Whenever the attention of the fish is absorbed by surface 
food, it is not advisable to fish with the worm after any 
method, modern or ancient ; but when flies are scarce, 
and the fish are eagerly upon the look out for what the 
stream may produce in the shape of mid- water food, or 
before the day's first instalments of winged insects put in 
an appearance, the worm will do great execution. This 
bait is inseparably connected with angling by all non- 
practitioners of the art, but it has been as much ignored 
in these fast-going times as it was adored by our ancestors. 
It will admit of the fly fisher for trout pursuing his sport 
in the teeth of circumstances adverse to the more legiti- 
mate modes of angling. 

The ordinary fly-rod and line are employed, we had 
forgotten to observe, in conjunction with the fly cast. 
The most favorable spots to fish are in the surging waters 
of rivers and tiny cascades. A mountain trout stream, 
in which are combined a continuous and natural succes- 
sion of turbulent rapids and pellucid pools in miniature, 
affords the very acme of perfection for the practice of 
this particular method of angling. Owing to the small- 
ness of the (Kendal) hooks used (JS r o. 10 being the size 
necessary), a small split shot should be attached half-a- 
yard or so from the bait, to give proper momentum in 
the boil of broken waters. The lure should be drawn 
briskly through even here, the strike of a fish being de- 
tected instanter in these circumstances by the feel, as in 
the various other styles of trouting in clear waters with 
the worm. As the use of living bait is not infrequently 
objected to on the ground of cruelty, we may state that 
even worms have of late been added to the immense cate- 



GrRJTB FISHING FOR GRAYLING. 97 

gory of effectual "artificials," the identical rendering 
referred to having been found to answer in the last 
method of "worming" described. The artificial here 
alluded to is constructed in part from India rubber. 



CHAPTEK IX. 



GRUB FISHING FOR GRAYLING * 

GRUB BAITS FOR GRAYLING; METHODS OF USING; ANGLING REMI- 
NISCENCE; CAMPING OUT; MAGGOT FISHING. 

This method of grayling fishing has now become so 
general, that the omission of a reference to it would 
render incomplete a work dealing with this fish. The 
baits now commonly used consist of the green (garden) 
caterpillar, and its artificial, which for some unaccount- 
able reason is designated the grasshopper; gentles, wasp 
grubs, caddis-bait, and the larvae of all the large water- 
flies found in their sheaths in the beds of streams; as also 
fresh- water shrimps, and other aquatic creatures. Of 
the larger of these grub-like forms, there are admirable 
artificial renderings to be had; which, when used as in 
the case of the green caterpillar, or grasshopper above 
alluded to, with a couple of gentles upon the somewhat 
large hook, answer wondrously well, and are often pre- 
ferred to smaller naturals, owing to the sinking medium 
being laid in the centre, instead of having it in the shape 
of shot, sheet-lead, or wire, outside and in view. The 

* The habitat of the American grayling is so limited, that but few of 
our anglers have an opportunity to fish for them. The chapter is given, 
more as an illustration of English methods than for its practical value 
to our native rodsters. 
5 



98 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLEE. 

system in rogue of using these large artificial lures is to 
attach them, tipped with gentles or wasp grubs, to the 
thicker half of a three yards fly-cast, and throw out upon 
cither deep or shallow scours, frequented by the grayling, 
according to the time of year. The bait must be raised 
and dropped rapidly and continually, after being duly 
delivered in the required places, which should be the 
known haunts of these fish. The line should not be 
raised more than some four or five inches from the bot- 
tom, as the grayling, like barbel, are given to grope for 
food of the description reproduced in the copy. In some 
parts a small quill float is used, being attached with a 
wire loop at each extremity, in lieu of the ordinary run- 
ner. By this arrangement a certain amount of freedom 
is allowed to the line, which admits of its sliding at 
various depths from the surface, whilst the bait has a 
roving commission. For our own part, we have always 
managed to use the bait comfortably without the aid of 
one of these articles. The use of a float in clear water, 
whilst fishing for so keen-eyed a fish as the grayling, is 
anything but artistic or sportsmanlike. "When fish are 
repeatedly missed, it is advisable to secure a small brown 
twig to the line by wire, in the same way as the sliding 
float is arranged, as this will not, especially upon densely 
wood-lined streams, act detrimentally as regards sport. 
The originator of the artificial grub system of grayling- 
fishing (Hewett Wheatley) we are aware, counselled the 
use of a float, but since the appearance of his " Rod and 
Line," the fish have become so much more suspicious 
and wary, that not even a senior angler can, with impu- 
nity, transgress accepted rules without paying the pen- 
alty in net results. When the combination of artificial 
and natural lures is artistically worked by an adept, the 
slaughter amongst the heavy fish, which seldom or never 
rise, is immense. Although grayling are very partial to 
small baits, having a small mouth, they absorb a bunch 



GRUB FISHING FOE GRAYLING. 99 

of hooked threaded gentles, etc., with as much avidity 
as an eel will worsted threaded worms. The best time 
for grub-fishing for grayling is from September to Feb- 
uary, and the most severe weather is often the best for 
sport. 

One of the brightest angling remembrances our mem- 
ory retains, was an excursion after the grayling-time of 
year, in December — Christmas-eve, in fact — water and 
locality, the Derbyshire Wye, near Ambergate. Our 
party consisted of three rods; the morning was frosty, 
dry, and clear, the air deliciously pure and- exhilarating, 
and the usually yielding turf was sufficiently hard to 
considerably increase onr powers of locomotion. In the 
midst of the whitened landscape, the river flowed as 
tranquilly as on a long summer's day. We had arrived, 
fitted out for grub and hopper fishing; and with a favor- 
able prospect of sport we set to work. The fish proved 
in excellent condition, and in feeding humor, and our 
humor was, therefore, speedily excellent, notwithstand- 
ing several losses of unusually heavy or subtle quarry. 
The "permit" being well-nigh boundless, we wandered 
far away from our starting point, and by the middle of 
the afternoon had left our quarters and luncheon miles 
behind, and when we assembled for a smoke and a chat, 
each creel was found to be quite respectably weighted. 
The fish, as is rarely the case when the water is below a 
certain temperature, had continued to feed throughout 
the fore and afternoon, and as there had as yet been no 
indication of their "knocking" off, we resumed our 
diversion, and before long had filled our panniers. 

As the winter's sun had long sunk to rest, we began to 
think of retracing our steps; but before having described 
a third of the distance that lay before us, one of the 
party, who was, by-the-way, a bit of an invalid, suddenly 
discovered himself to be remarkably hungry. The third 
rodster, being an American tourist, took upon himself 



100 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLER. 

the commissariat office. No human habitation appeared 
within reasonable distance, and how onr weakly friend's 
languishing could, be immediately satiated seemed a mys- 
tery. We were not long, however, to be left to speculate 
as to the nature of the expedient to be adopted. Upon 
the clear, hard, turf, under the spreading, though now 
stark branches of an ancient oak, the wood severed by 
the violence of the late storms was arranged and ignited 
by pipe-lights; some of the choice medium-sized fish 
were split and cleaned in the silvery stream, so shortly be- 
fore their home, spitted upon a two-pronged sapling, and, 
in the glowing embers, were quickly done to a turn. The 
relish with which they were eaten was significant; the 
beautiful aroma imparted to the delicate fare by the 
oaken embers, was simply delicious. Like the majority 
of anglers we seldom care for our takes, after having had 
the pleasure of extracting them; but we venture to assert 
that the most fastidious palate would, in similar circum- 
stances, have found their quarry, so primitively yet so 
skilfully prepared, irresistible. Were we to state the 
precise quantity of fish so cooked and disposed of by the 
aid of pocket-knives upon that ever memorable Christ- 
mas-eve, we should scarce look for full credit for the 
statement. Let it suffice, that the intervening miles 
rapidly disappeared under our re-invigorated footsteps, 
through the picturesque moonlit Wye Valley, enlivened 
by the beautiful stream, and we arrived early at our com- 
fortable quarters, and in a state of mind and body, wdiich 
made the pillow an elysium of repose. 

Maggot and wasp grubs are often used by bottom fish- 
ers for grayling, in a style somewhat similar to that 
adopted in worm-fishing for coarse fish ; a quill float 
and very fine hook and tackle being, of course, substi- 
tuted. Skillful roach-fishers are proficients at grayling- 
fishing with these appliances, though the fish are more 
frequently lost than when roach is the quarry. Ground 



PISCATORIAL ENTOMOLOGY. 101 

baiting prevails as a system, but is most certainly un- 
necessary, as, by an observant angler, the periodical 
haunts of these gregarious fish are easily discovered. A 
few hand sprinklings of gentles, etc., cast around the 
baited hook answers as efficiently as whole quarts of the 
same indiscreetly planted; indeed, these fish speedily be- 
come satiated, and the use of ground-bait is often highly 
detrimental to subsequent sport. 



CHAPTER X. 



PISCATOEIAL ENTOMOLOGY * 

To be a moderately successful wielder of the rod may 
be looked upon as a very desirable accomplishment, nay, 
more, a laudable ambition; but beyond mere skill in 
casting a fly, and killing and landing a fish, a little 
rudimentary knowledge of the truly scientific, and, con- 
sequently, most attractive part of the art, is essential, in 
order to attain proficiency. 

There are hundreds of tolerably good anglers who are 
such indifferent entomologists as to be unable to discern 

* The entomology of American fly -fishing is yet to be written. Miss 
McBride, some years ago, contributed a few pleasing and instructive 
articles to a weekly journal on this subject, and so far as my knowledge 
extends, her attempt was the last one made by an American writer; but, 
as more than two hundred years elapsed from the time of Walton to the 
date of Roland's work on English piscatorial entomology, our angling 
authors may be pardoned, if a decade or two elapses in the production 
of an American text book on this fascinating subject. The notes of the 
author are extremely interesting and instructive, and, although much of 
the text is inapplicable to the ueeds of our native anglers, I give the 
entire chapter on account of the practical presentation of the subject 
matter. 



102 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

the difference between one species of common insect and 
well-known fly and another; and, lacking this rudi- 
mental knowledge of the insect world, are apt to credit 
the fish with no greater powers of discernment than 
themselves — a great injustice to the natural instincts of 
the denizens of the streams. Such delusions are pro- 
pounded by fourth-rate followers of every branch of the 
arts and sciences. That educated English trout can and 
do distinguish the most trivial difference in both atti- 
tude, size, and color, is a truism well-known and readily 
acknowledged by all fishermen of experience.* The com- 
plicated and ever-extending fly list of the leading author- 
ities on fly-fishing tends rather to confuse and bewilder 
than to enlighten the youthful aspirant, leading him 
frequently to ignore the whole as unnecessary and super- 
fluous. 

In giving the following hints on entomology as appli- 
cable to fly-fishing, our aim is to sketch briefly and in- 
telligibly the ordinary "standards," which are sufficiently 
numerous, generally speaking, to attract the attention of 
the fish when they put in an appearance. The numerical 
strength of the flies out at one time may be said invari- 
ably to determine the ardor with which the fish feed. 
Thus, when the May-fly or March Brown are but scan- 
tily "on," the Iron Blue Dun or Black Gnat, if preval- 
ent, will kill infinitely better, simply because the whole 
attention of the fish for the time being is centered upon 
them, owing to their greater abundance. 

The flies that form food for fish may be divided into 
two classes, viz., the Up-winged {Ephemeridm) and Flat- 
winged (Phryrjancidce, MuscidcB, etc.) Of the latter there 
are many varieties, part being of the water, as are the 
whole of the first order, the Ephemeridce family. These 
water flies are of the greatest use to the angler, as they 



* This is au open question as to American trout. 



PISCATORIAL ENTOMOLOGY. 103 

rise to the surface only to fulfill their natural functions, 
living but a few days, and ever delighting to sport on or 
near their native element. Not so the land flies. They 
do not habitually frequent the water, being seldom seen 
upon it, excepting when swept there by the force of the 
wind; hence it follows that they are rarely sufficiently 
numerous except upon cold and windy days, or after a 
boisterous storm. 

In taking, first, the most important order of naturals 
(the EpliemeridcB family), we deal with what has hitherto 
been made a most intricate and formidable list of in- 
sects, modern naturalists dividing and sub-dividing into 
sections and sub-sections until the poet Pope's "thou- 
sands of winged insects " threaten to descend from the 
ideal into stern reality. Personal observations, extend- 
ing over a period of fifty years, lead us to affirm the 
greater part of this extensive classification to be perfectly 
needless. There are, in fact, but four different species 
of Up-winged insects, these forming the Epherneridce 
family. The prevailing temperature of the atmosphere 
and the water at the time of the larva and pupa arriving 
at the stage of maturity, is largely instrumental in in- 
fluencing the color, the body of the insect particularly 
being susceptible to change from these effects. 

The four species here referred to are the ordinary 
Olive and Iron Blue Duns, the Large Browns, and the 
May-fly or Green Drake.* 

The Olive Dun makes its first appearance in February, 
when it is known as the Blue Dun, or February Flapper. 
It then presents a dead-lead color, the inclement weather 
then seasonable causing the fly to assume so sombre a 
hue. A few weeks later, if the weather be more genial, 
it is a shade lighter upon the body, when it is styled the 



* These flies are also made in the United States, and used on some 
of our native waters. 



104 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLER. 

Cock-winged Dan. By the beginning of April it is of a 
general olive color, with yellow-ribbed body, upon which 
rests a bloom, like that of a ripe muscat grape, but upon 
dull days a rust-like fungus is substituted for this, which 
gives a ruddy appearance to the whole body at first sight. 
It is then known as the Yellow Dun of April, light and 
dark. In April, in the cold water near the springs or 
sources of streams, more especially in limestone districts, 
the fly appears of a light blue tint. This is designated 
the Pale Blue Dun. A few weeks later again, and the 
Blue Dun of February appears as the Yellow Dun of 
May, and in ungenial weather, as the Hare's Ear Dun. 
This, like most of these multifarious appellations, takes 
its name from a part of the material used in the con- 
struction of the artificial, the former being a light and 
delicate olive, the latter several shades darker. 

The "Yellow Dun of May" continues plentiful 
through June on hot days, the action of the sun rendering 
it lighter on the body. In July it is designated the Pale 
Evening White, it being as white as a new shilling. The 
nymphre locating in shallow open water, where the sun's 
rays penetrate during the hot months, the fly appears 
excessively light and delicate. In June, unseasonable 
weather causes the body of the dun to assume a dirty 
yellow tinge, and it is then known as the Common Yel- 
low Dun. It acquires a more pronounced yellow a little 
later, when the fly is termed the Golden Dun, being more 
partial to fine weather. There are still two other shades 
before the gradual tints of this interesting fly terminate, 
and a comprehensive glance may be given of them in the 
order of rotation as the season progresses. 

The nympha of the Pale Evening Dun rises from deep 
still water, the color very much resembling the common 
yellow shade of June. This, in common witli all water 
flies, gradually assumes a lighter shade, even when ex- 
posed to the sun's rays for only an hour. Dull or inclem- 



PISCATOEIAL ENTOMOLOGY. 105 

ent weather in July produces the July Dun, in which 
the old and more general olive shade is again visible, 
commingling witli pale yellow. And now, with the de- 
clining months, the fish and fishermen are treated to a 
repetition of the various shades of the spring, though 
graduating in the contrary direction, i. e., growing 
darker as the months pass, instead of lighter. Thus, in 
August we have the exact shades of May, and in Sep- 
tember those of April — the state of the weather and the 
water being similar to that in the corresponding earlier 
months of the year — until we again arrive at the Dull 
Blue Dun of February in November. 

The whole of the foregoing are the natural progeny of 
the common red spinner. All the Duns, therefore, that 
live to maturity become spinners; they are, in conse- 
quence, very numerous. In the warmer months this fly 
becomes lighter in shade, assuming a golden tint on the 
body, when it is designated the G-olden, instead of the 
Eed Spinner.* The limited period usually devoted to 
the study of the native water flies, which are designed 
for the sustenance of non-migratory fish, both upon the 
surface and in the bed of the rivers, has led to erroneous 
and inaccurate inferences. During an unusually back- 
ward and dull season one particular shade of fly will be 
numerous, often for many weeks, and occasionally even 
months ; and as no two or three successive years are 
likely to be identical in this respect, it is essential that 
observations be assiduously carried on over an extended 
period, or misconceptions will be the inevitable result. 
Insects have been described in their first or imperfect 
stage minutely, whilst the greater part of their existence 
as flies and perfect insects has been ignored altogether. 
Other species have been honored by a notice in their 
decrepit old age, when they are described as beings of a 

*The Ked Spinner is a favorite fly on some of our waters. 



106 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

day or hour. This inconsistency is mainly due to the 
difficulty above noted of drawing correct inferences from 
limited investigation, and under the varying influences 
of the elements and seasons. 

The next in importance to the angler, of the four 
different varieties of Up-winged water flies, are the Large 
or Spring Browns, so-called from their being more preva- 
lent in the earlier parts of the season. The first appear- 
ance of this second species is the well-known March 
Brown* of the northern and southern counties, and the 
Dun Drake of the midlands, the streams of which dis- 
trict produce this fly more freely than elsewhere. The 
term Dun Drake, is applied, because it bears a con- 
spicuous resemblance to the May-fly or Drake in point of 
both size and attitude, being twice the size of an ordinary 
dun. When these flies first ascend from the watery 
depths they are eagerly absorbed by the feeding fish. 
Though styled the March Brown, they are seldom up 
before the beginning of April on most streams. After a 
few weeks of genial weather, the fly becomes of lighter 
hue, as in the case of the olive dun, but with this differ- 
ence, that it perceptibly decreases in size. A strange 
inaccuracy is credited in respect to the first change of 
this fly. It is supposed to be the female brown, but that 
is perfectly erroneous, as the difference in sex cannot be 
distinguished until the final stage of existence, viz., that 
of spinners, in \vhich they propagate their species. The 
spinners in this case are called the Great Reds, which are 
numerous, more or less, just in proportion as their pre- 
decessors, the large Browns, have been prevalent ; as is 
also the case with the ordinary Red Spinners of the 
Olive duns. In May the March Brown is recognized as 
the Turkey Brown, f light and dark, in accordance with 

* A standard fly in America. 

t Under tbis name, my favorite fly for black bass, is known on the 
6treams of Pennsylvania. It is usually tied on a No. 4 Sproat hook. 



PISCATOBIAL ENTOMOLOGY. 107 

the weather. This fly dimiuishes in size as the weather 
grows warmer. By August the fly is still a little smaller, 
and is known as the August Brown or Dun. These are 
seldom numerous, the nympha being generally in a state 
of torpor in the hot months, as it is a hardy insect, and 
partial to rough weather. A few Up-winged Browns 
continue to haunt the surface of rivers and streams for 
the remainder of the season, but are seldom sufficiently 
numerous to merit attention. 

The Iron Blue Dun ranks next in importance to the 
Up-winged Browns. This is a distinct species, and is 
not to be confounded with the Olive Dun, which is 
double the size. The general prevailing color of this 
insect is a beautiful deep blue, except upon the body, 
where there is a faint tinge of mauve, intermingled with 
blue. 

It makes its first appearance in April; in May, however, 
it is infinitely more plentiful, but has then a mauve-color- 
ed body, acquiring a lighter hue as the season advances, 
precisely similar to the other duns. The fly appears in 
June and July, but paler in wings and body, when it is 
recognized as the Little Sky Blue; and in the early part 
of September is called the Little Pale Blue. Later still 
it is very plentiful, but darker in shade, until in October 
it closely resembles the olive shade of the Duns in April; 
indeed these are frequently taken for half-matured Olive 
Duns ; but this cannot be, as all winged water insects at- 
tain full growth and dimensions immediately upon quit- 
ting the pupa case. The metamorphosis of this fly is 
the Jenny (or Jinney) Spinner. This is a beautiful and 
delicate fly, so delicate that it is a difficult matter to 
copy it successfully. The color is pure milk-white upon 
legs, wings and body, except a bright crimson band at 
each extremity of the last-named. 

Each of the three varieties of up-winged water flies 
live three days, after having ascended from the river's 



108 TIIE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

bed, and burst their "swathings." They then cast their 
skins, like stripping off a garment, and reappear as spin- 
ners. They live about five days in this, the concluding 
period of their life. "We have several times taken for 
experimental purposes a number of Common Red Spin- 
ners, Jenny Spinners, and Great Eed Spinners (trans- 
formations of the Olive Dun, Iron Blue Dun, and Up- 
winged Browns). These we have deposited upon the 
water contained in a fish-hatching box, through which 
ran constantly a stream of fresh water, the whole being 
well and closely-fitted over. There they have deposited 
their eggs, each fly dropping several as it rose and fell 
upon the top of the water. After this last and most 
important function of their life had been performed, 
each having deposited its hundreds of eggs, every sign of 
vitality vanished, and they appeared lifeless, and merely 
a flimsy form inflated with air. 

By the aid of a powerful microscope we were enabled 
to investigate minutely, from time to time, several points 
of special interest to us. By careful and oft-repeated 
researches we ascertained that from thirty-six to forty 
days serve to hatch the eggs, when deposited in the sum- 
mer months, but much longer if in spring ; and almost 
immediately after this has happened, the larva or grub 
secretes itself amongst the sediment at the bottom of the 
water, instinct, doubtless, prompting this as security 
against the numerous enemies which prey upon it. The 
form of the larva is shown to be elongated, with six per- 
fect legs, and whisked tail, also armed with a pair of 
formidable forceps, with which its food is seized. Along 
the sides there is a range of web-like appendages, which 
serve as fins ; and by the aid of this propelling power 
the larva becomes exceedingly active. In the course of 
five or six months the larva changes into a pupa, or 
nympha, by breaking through a filament or outward 
skin. Upon the shoulders there are now two small pro- 



PISCATORIAL ENTOMOLOGY. 109 

tuberances, which ultimately develop into wings. When 
in the larva and pupa states the insect is excessively 
voracious ; like the small clothes-moth it feeds, not when 
fully developed, but when "swathed" up in its tough 
pliable case. The larvas of both moth and fly devour 
many times their own weight in a single week, and this 
is the case with all water-flies, whether Ephemeridm or 
Phryganeidce (Up-winged or Flat-winged), which feed only 
when in the larva and pupa state, absorbing sufficient 
nutriment to sustain them during the short and final 
stages of their life. They afterwards appear in their 
new sphere, first as Duns, secondly, as perfect imagos or 
insects. 

As the eggs of the Ephemeridm had been deposited in 
May, in the following February, whenever the state of 
the water permitted, the first flies emerged from their 
pupa case, rose to the top of the water, and bursting yet 
another shell-like skin, unfolded their now perfect wings, 
and appeared as early Blue Duns. A little more genial 
weather, and the Cockwing and the Olive, from which 
the fly takes its name, were predominant, the lighter 
shades appearing as the nymphae gradually attained ma- 
turity, up to mid-summer. April saw the first instalment 
of Iron Blue, March or Spring Browns also appeared, 
both being of a lighter shade, and the latter a little 
smaller in dimensions, after the lapse of a few weeks. 
Up to July the color of the Duns ranged in the precise 
ratio we have given, by which time the whole of the 
nymphae had attained maturity, with the exception of a 
few of the Browns, which rose in August, smaller still 
in size. To have the whole season's supply of the Ephe- , 
meridce it is necessary to take Spinners about May, and 
again in August. The latter produce first the delicate 
tints, ending with the lead-blue shades that are seen in 
November. 

Such casts as are called the Apple-green, Orange, and 



110 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLER. 

Whirling Blue Dims,* do not occur anything like annu- 
ally : they prevail only during a spell of unseasonable 
"weather. A Dun of these pronounced shades may not 
be observed for several seasons, "whilst for some weeks in 
the succeeding one it may be exceedingly prevalent. If 
the range of shades previously described are correctly as- 
serted to be dependent upon the state of the elements, 
and therefore accidental, these latter are doubly so. 

The May-fly, Green Drake, or Cadow r concludes the 
order of up-winged insects. This fly is an annual one, 
appearing upon the majority of trout streams about the 
first week in June. Throughout Britain it may be said 
to be in season from the middle of May to the middle of 
June. These flies are often wondrously numerous. The 
first four days or so when they begin to come up, the 
fish seem rather afraid of them, but as they become more 
numerous they are greedily taken. These flies are com- 
mon for twelve or fifteen days, when they entirely disap- 
pear until the next season. The fish so gorge themselves 
during the drake season that they lie dormant for some 
days before they are relieved from the effects of their ex- 
cess. More has been written upon this than perhaps 
any other fly. It has been set up as an analogy for the 
lesser ephemeral orders, which is scarcely correct, as it 
appears but for a limited period annually; and in the 
second place the eggf remains in the water two years be- 
fore it grows sufficiently, and has arrived at a proper 
state of perfection to ascend. It is also longer lived as 
a fly. Swammerdam speaks of it as "a being of a 
day, wiiose life in a perfect state is compassed in a few 
hours." Another affirms that "they lay about eight 
hundred eggs immediately upon the wings being devel- 



* These flies are made here aud used on our waters. 
tThe larva. 



PISCATORIAL ENTOMOLOGY. Ill 

oped, and the whole are deposited in a shorter time than 
another insect would consume in laying one." 

Our own experience tells us that they live from eleven 
to fourteen days — nine days as green, the remainder 
gray — and that they do not propagate their species until 
they reach the final or perfect state, viz., that of gray 
drakes. Nor do they lay eight hundred eggs. Our in- 
vestigations go to prove three or four hundred to be the 
utmost possible limit ; and, as to their depositing the 
whole instantly, the idea is absurd. 

We have seen, more than once, Stone and Cinnamon 
flies and common moths lay eggs at the rate of sixty per 
minute — one per second ; but with the up-winged insects 
the operation is much more leisurely achieved. Floods 
do not deter or retard the appearance of the water flies, 
further than what damage may be done in a sandy or 
loose-bottomed river by the larvae being crushed or swept 
away. 

When the weather is seasonable, the drake appears 
upon some waters literally in swarms, so thick that to 
fill the live-fly basket is often the work of but a few 
moments. The exact annual time to a few days when 
they come "up" upon each river is slightly subservient 
to the weather. 

The Gray or Black Drake is the metamorphosis or 
transformation of the green. The color is black and 
.white, and the fly finely and minutely freckled in the 
wings. The body is milk white, the ribs faintly touched 
with black, as also each extremity of the body. The legs 
and tail are black, the latter being double the length of 
the former. These flies are only prevalent as the season 
of the drake begins to wane. They whirl in clouds in the 
shadows of trees near and overhanging the water, strag- 
glers ever and anon dropping upon its surface to deposit 
eggs, which occurs particularly towards evening. In this 



112 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

act they are generally caught by the fish, which inces- 
santly feed, so long as their prey is plentiful. 

This fly is not nearly so much appreciated as the green, 
being in its perfect state more active, for, in common 
with other ephemeral transformations, it improves more 
in outward form than inward substance ; hence the pref- 
erence of the wily fish. The Gray Drake* generally 
takes shelter under the leaves of trees and bushes during 
mid-day in sultry weather, emerging in the evening in 
incredible numbers, and sporting in the air in every di- 
rection. When the fiy is matured enough to lay eggs it 
is designated the Spent Black, owing to its gradually 
getting darker in color towards the end of its existence. 
The operation of depositing the eggs so exhausts the fly, 
that it dies immediately on the completion of this func- 
tion, a hollow shell being all that remains. 

This insect, when in its new-born aerial dress, flutters 
heavily, like the freshly-fledged song bird, and then ap- 
pears devoid of all sense of feeling; but in its last stage 
it is too delicate for live-fly fishing; indeed, it is then so 
marvellously fragile that it may be said to be at the 
mercy of a breath of wind, the slightest touch ending its 
existence. In some instances this fly appears of a much 
brighter green, the metamorphosis being of a freckled 
red-brown. This is commonly called the "mackerel," 
light or dark. It frequents slow-running, thickly-wooded 
streams, but is of little importance to the fisherman. 

The Flat-winged flies consist of a far greater variety of 
species ; but, even taking them as a whole, they are of 
but secondary importance from a piscatorial point of 
view. We shall now, however, proceed to enumerate 
the two leading orders of the flat-winged insects which 
are requisite to a complete equipment. 



* A standard fly with us. 



PISCATORIAL ENTOMOLOGY. 113 

The first of these claiming our attention are the water 
Flat-wings, the leading species of which are the Phryga- 
neidce, consisting of the red, sand, cinnamon, and bank 
flies, also the grannum or green-tail ; and the Perlidw, 
which family includes the Stone Fly, Yellow Sally,* 
Willow, and Needle Fly, or Tail-to-Tail. These flat- 
winged flies arise from the larva or grub which is found 
in small twigs, etc., these having been excavated to form 
a retreat. The Red or Welsh fly is a four- winged na- 
tural, its wings lying alongside the body, so as to com- 
pletely envelop it except underneath, thus forming a 
roof-like ridge across the back. It is the earliest fly out 
in the spring, and may be seen upon the first tolerably 
open day in January, fluttering industriously as it is car- 
ried down stream. These are in some districts believed 
to be the March Brown, but there is, as has been else- 
where stated, a marked distinction between them. It is 
a very useful fly in the early months. 

After the February Eed, the next in this order is the 
Sand-fly, which is precisely similar as to size and attitude, 
but of a pronounced sandy hue universally. This fly 
usually makes its appearance in the latter half of April, 
continuing more or less prevalent during May, and again 
in the autumn. Like the generality of four- winged flies, 
it is seldom on the wing, and when so is a solitary in- 
sect, but is a favorite with the fish, even when sparsely 
present. 

The Foetid Brown, or Cinnamon, f follows the sand-fly. 
This is a much larger insect, being more than two-thirds 
of an inch in length, from the tip of the head to the tail. 
In general attitude it is precisely similar to those pre- 



* Sometimes called the Yellow May. 
t Known bj 7 the latter name in America. 



114 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

viously described, but it is of a darker and more ruddy 
brown than the sand-fly ; it is more plentiful in the 
autumn than at any other time of the year. Its name 
has orginated from the fact of there being a faint odor of 
cinnamon emitted by it when handled. It is invaluable 
for live-fly fishing, but it is seldom "up" in sufficient 
strength on open water, to make it equally valuable for 
casting. Being excessively heavy in its frights, its mo- 
tions and flutterings are very awkward. In July and 
August it frecpients the surface of the water under shelv- 
ing banks and sheltered places, and is then styled the 
bank fly. In common with the Spring Browns it is con- 
siderably smaller in size during the hot months ; but is 
more numerous on cold days. 

The Green-tail,* or Grannum, completes this order of 
flies. It appears at first sight like a freckled sand-fly, but 
upon a more minute inspection, is found to differ con- 
siderably in several points. The body has a strange ap- 
pendage of a conspicuous green color at its extremity. 
This is its egg-pouch, and it is observed to drop its egg, 
like the spinners of the ephemeral order, as it rises and 
falls upon the top of the water. 

The PerUdce order ranks next to the above. The most 
useful we have given as being the stone, willow, and 
needle flies, also the yellow Sally. The first-named is a 
very large fly, and in some localities is termed the May 
fly, as it annually makes its first appearance in that month. 
There is, however, the same distinctive difference be- 
tween this and the May fly, or Green Drake, that we have 
already described in the February Red and the March 
Brown, with this exception, that the wings of the Stone 
fly are duuble the length of those of the Red fly, and lie 
still more horizontally., being almost flat upon the back 



* This fly is made by our tackle dealers, but, so far as I know, is 
not in general use. 



PISCATORIAL ENTOMOLOGY. 115 

of the insect. Except upon blustering windy days, these 
flies are seldom " on " in sufficient quantities to excite 
the attention of the fish; though as a luscious morsel, 
the large fish seldom ignore even the solitary specimen 
when it essays a paddling excursion across its native ele- 
ment. Its general haunts are amongst the gravel and 
pebbles by the sides of streams, hence the name ; but 
when carried by a high breeze to mid stream in any 
number, the artificial may be used with signal success. 
The larvae of these large water insects form food for fish 
some ten days or more before they are mature enough to 
"rise," as the grub then becomes very active, and at- 
tracts the attention of the fish. The grub, when ex- 
tracted from the case or twig which it inhabits, is used 
in a similar manner to the wasp bait and maggot for 
bottom fishing. 

The Willow fly appears in August. This is a well- 
known insect, and on all our most frequented trout and 
grayling streams is one of the first flies that the latter 
fish feed ravenously upon, when coming into condition 
after the spawning period. The color of its wings is a 
dark, ruddy, brown blue, with light-colored ribs, and 
legs a rusty black. Unlike most naturals, these flies, in- 
stead of taking their names from their own color, are 
almost universally known by the term Willow, which 
appellation may have originated from the fact of their 
being generally most abundant in the immediate vicinity 
of willow trees, particularly while upon the wing, when 
they may be observed in whirling masses just above the 
surface of the water. 

The Needle fly, Needle-brown, or Tail-to-Tail, as it is 
sometimes called, is a peculiar-looking insect; its wings 
are folded in a manner so neat and compact, and fit so 
closely to the body, as to give the observer the impres- 
sion that it is devoid of them altogether. In the warm- 
est hours of a September day, myriads of them are to be 



116 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLER. 

seen fluttering in clouds in the shade of trees, bridges, 
etc. They are of a dingy brown shade on the body, legs, 
and wings, and unless seen in a certain light are almost 
indistinguishable when in action over the water. There 
are two sizes of these Hies when full grown, the largest 
being fully half an inch in length, the other about two- 
thirds that size. This is one of the best of our grayling 
flies. The fish being partial to small insects, the lesser 
one is generally used by most fishermen. This fly fre- 
quents some streams in lieu of the Willow, and is equally 
killing. Needle flies are numerous on warm mizzly days, 
throughout the fall of the year. 

The Yellow Sally concludes the list of the Perlidce 
order deserving the notice of the angler. The fly is of a 
general primrose tint, and when once seen can never be 
mistaken. It rises about the middle of June, being more 
or less numerous during the hot months, but is not 
much appreciated by the fish. It is seldom really on the 
water, even when well out, being a stray flier, often 
descending from a great height to deposit eggs in the 
water, falling apparently lifeless, but immediately spring- 
ing up to soar anew, and repeat the operation. The 
artificials of this fly fail to be effective, owing to their 
being dressed "winged;" most flat-winged water flies 
should be dressed "buzz"* to kill well. The best 
chance of killing with this fly is during or soon after a 
passing storm, which beats them down upon the -water. 

We have now enumerated the three principal orders of 
winged water insects. A reproduction of one of each 
some accomplished fly-fishers place upon their casts for 
all round fishing; but we do not advise our readers to act 
up to any system, but would rather encourage them to 
use their own observation, to be quick to take note of 



* " Buzz "—Tied palmer fashion with the hackles well down on the 
bend of the hook. 



PISCATORIAL ENTOMOLOGY. 117 

existing influences and their general bearings on the 
occasion, and thus to adapt themselves to meet circum- 
stances which would otherwise prove detrimental to 
sport. The real essence of the art lies in deceiving the 
fish by a correct copy of any fly that may be at any time 
absorbing their attention.* 

We have yet briefly to mention the casual killers 
amongst the numerous tribes of land insects, which may 
be summed up as follows: — Cow-dung-fly, Small Beetles 
(Marlow Buzz, or Coch-y-bondu), Oak fly, Blue Bottle, 
Wren-tail, the Ants, and Gray and Black Gnats. f These 
flies pass their pupa stage in the earth, either in thickly 
wooded, or meadow land; they, therefore, do not habit- 
ually frequent the water, but are driven upon it by 
rough weather. 

The Cow-dung-fly we have fully commented upon 
elsewhere in "Notes on the Months." The term Small 
Beetles, includes the lady-cow and ear- wig, as well as the 
small members of the beetle tribe proper, which are 
prevalent more or less throughout the season. The arti- 
ficial is a simple hackled fly (elsewhere described) which 
effectually represents the numerous members of the 
above varieties. 

The Oak-fly, or Down-looker, usually accompanies the 
Green Drake. There is another fly that is commonly 
used in its natural state, particularly upon thickly- 
wooded streams; it is often seen upon the trunks of 
trees, etc., upon wLich it invariably rests with its head 
downwards, instantly assuming that position if alighting 
in any other. In cold or inclement weather, it secretes 

* Anglers, both American and Euglish, differ widely on this subject. 
I have, on many occasions, filled my creel with fine trout using a black 
hackle, when a dark bug could not be seen during the entire day, over 
or on the water. This is not an exceptional occurrence. 

t The Cow-dung and Coch-y-bondu are killing black bass flies. The 
gray and black gnats and ants will be familiar to our old anglers. 



118 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLEE. 

itself amongst the roots of luxuriant grass or thick moss, 
until more genial weather prevails. The fly is perfectly 
flat-winged, and in attitude resembles the house and 
wood flies. These three flies are, perhaps, the most com- 
monly known British insects. 

The Wood fly resembles the domestic house fly in all 
particulars except size, it being a trifle larger, and is 
especially numerous in the vicinity of cattle, to which it 
is very obnoxious, especially in wooded districts. In 
cold weather, in the fall of the year, all the tribes of 
wood and house flies become blind, when they are swept 
upon the water in great quantities, to be picked off by 
both trout and grayling, especially the latter. The Gray 
Palmer efficiently represents these drowning insects, when 
vainly fluttering to extricate themselves from the foreign 
element. 

The Blue Bottle is most in request for live fly-fishing 
in July and August. It is sometimes cast along with 
the gray palmer, and renders good account of its attrac- 
tive powers, but cannot be said to be infallible. The 
"Wren-tail, or Frog-hopper, forms one of the many varie- 
ties of winged insects numerous in July. In common 
with the small blacks, it braves the heat of the noonday 
sun. The latter fortunately differ very materially in re- 
gard to their habits and movements, as they are inces- 
santly hovering over the water, whilst the frog-hopper 
merely appears accidentally, and, therefore, unintention- 
ally, upon its bosom. It is occasionally to be used with 
effect. 

The Ants * are only occasionally numerous, but in 
some localities the red species are common in sandy soils, 
and amongst wild, broken ground. The black variety 
are found only in thickly-wooded districts, where they 



*Thered and black ants arc favorites during low water. The eggs 
are used sometimes with killing effect on the point of a fly hook. 



PISCATORIAL ENTOMOLOGY. 119 

build their hills to a considerable size of small twigs, 
leaf stems, etc. In sultry weather these little creatures 
will migrate to the nearest water to indulge in a cooling 
bath, and, when this happens to be a trout stream, both 
fijh and fishermen experience lively times. Their eggs 
are much sought after for angling purposes, being excel- 
lent bait for almost every description of fresh-water 
fish, when prepared and used similar to trout and sal- 
mon roe. 

The Gray and Black Gnats, and, indeed, the whole 
fraternity of " smuts," arise from the soil of sheltered 
meadow banks ; they are most obnoxious to the fly-fisher 
when out in any quantity. 

Year after year, and century after century, a curious 
and interesting equilibrium is maintained by nature, 
with but few deviations, in regard to insect life in this 
temperate clime. Whilst various members of the beetle, 
ant, and other orders increase, at intervals, to a really 
alarming extent in more southern latitudes, in this coun- 
try a truly marvellous balance of insect existence is pre- 
served by the restraining action of counter influences on 
the enormous procreative powers with which they are 
invested. When myriads of flies are observed depositing 
their eggs literally by millions, upon water or land, we 
are led to investigate the reason why their material in- 
crease is seldom rendered notable, and we find that the 
mass simply go to feed other creatures, whose sole mission 
would appear to be to counteract, regulate, and hold in 
check their kindred species. All insects of the smaller 
kind, inhabiting the earth or water, feed upon the ova of 
the different orders of winged insects, the pupae of which 
retaliate in turn by preying continuously upon the mi- 
nute insects, the enemies of their previous existence. Thus 
by a wonderful scheme of Providence, the perfect chain 
of animated nature and organized creation is accurately 
preserved. 



120 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

When insects arrive at maturity, there is this signal 
and distinctive difference between the aerial and aquatic 
species. The former are voracious feeders when in their 
perfect state ; the latter do not, ns we have shown, feed 
at all when in the sub-imago and perfect stages of their 
existence, so that no devastating results issue from any 
multiplication of these. The same observation cannot 
be applied with equal truth to the case of the land in- 
sects, which, when plentiful, are the bane of man and 
beast. Eeaumur makes mention of a swarm of May 
flies or drakes on the Marne, which completely covered 
him two or three inches in depth, in the space of a few 
minutes. Most fishermen have experienced something 
similar, at long intervals, with regard to the water flies 
in certain localities: this is the result of a combination of 
circumstances favorable to them. Seasonable weather is 
always favorable to insect life. A mild winter will tend 
to destroy the ensuing season's general supply, by caus- 
ing premature activity, followed often by premature 
death, or at best by a relapse into a state of torpor. 
These changes invariably prove prejudicial to the exist- 
ence of insects. Steady and severe cold, when season- 
able, upon the other hand, is not only favorable to 
insect life, by causing a continued state of torpor, from 
which they emerge in due season, but also by indirectly 
preserving them from the attacks of their numerous 
enemies. 'It sometimes happens that, from a variety of 
causes, running water is of a higher temperature than 
the atmosphere, in dry frosty weather ; and as the aquatic 
insect, prior to leaving its native element, is Avholly in- 
fluenced by it, an uprising of them when the air is too 
cold for them to live in it, is not by any means an infre- 
quent occurrence. "We have observed them rise to live 
but a few hours, and sometimes only minutes, in the 
event of there being no sun temporarily to counteract 
the effects of the keen air. 



(Plate 3.) 



SWIVEL LEAD 




6 (121) 



ON FLY MAKING. 123 

CHAPTEE XL 
ON FLY MAKING. 

FLIES FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING FISHING ; THE ADVISABILITY 
OF COPYING NATURE; UP- WINGED AND FLAT- WINGED 
ARTIFICIALS ; DRESSINGS FOR THE DUNS, BROWNS, MAY 
FLEES, OR DRAKES ; FLAT- WINGED WATER FLIES ; LAND 
FLEES ; HOW TO DRESS A HACKLE FLY, PALMER, ETC. ; SAL- 
MON FLIES. 

Trout and G-rayiing Flies. — A really solid advan- 
tage the amateur fly-maker enjoys is his ever available 
ability to produce copies of any special insect the fish 
may just then be regaling themselves upon, when other 
lures fail to meet with due appreciation. Trout are often 
most tantalizingly fastidious; and though occasionally, 
at rare intervals, they are to be taken by almost anything 
in the shape of a fly, it is merely a reckless spirit of wan- 
tonness that is displayed, in which case sport will prove 
but indifferent, the fish in reality being merely playing 
and not feeding. Trout will take down almost any- 
thing when in this mood ; bits of leaves, twigs, and 
other floating atoms, we have repeatedly seen them 
close their teeth upon, when taking observations from 
the chinks of a wooden foot bridge; but these float- 
ing substances we noted invariably rose to the surface 
almost immediately. But when, on the other hand, 
there are myriads of any particular fly out, the thorough 
earnestness displayed by the feeding fish, as they eagerly 
absorb the abundance of food thus presented upon the 
surface of their native element, bears a marked contrast 
to their former demeanor ; and when the angler happens 
not to possess an imitation thereof to present, in nine 
hundred and ninety-nine instances out of a thousand, 



124 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

his lure will meet with an unflattering reception.* It is 
then that the proficient fly-dresser, by a little display of 
patience and ingenuity, proves equal to the occasion, and 
by the prompt exercise of his art, rules the circumstances 
to Avhieh his less accomplished brother of the rod 
must bow. 

Great disappointment is often experienced by the un- 
initiated (and we regret to have to admit there should 
exist grounds for honest complaints) in procuring flies 
dressed to any particular artificial or natural pattern. 
The prevailing custom would appear to be simply to 
choose the fly in stock, bearing the best resemblance to 
the pattern required iu its various details ; and as this is 
occasionally limited in its character, the credulity of the 
fisher is not infrequently imposed upon. These and 
other tests of patience, the angler, who has become an 
apt fly-dresser, spares himself. Upon the other hand, it 
is but fair to point out the little drawbacks it is necessary 
to surmount. 

* The angling experts of England are at odds with each other on the 
fly question. They are divided between " eolorists," who think that 
color is everything : and " formalists," who hold that the natural fly on 
the water, at a stated time, must be closely imitated in minutest detail 
of form and tints of coloring. The former have settled down to a few 
standard colors, and the latter to the use or ownership of the many 
hundreds of varieties of artificial flies that now compose the fly fishers' 
lexicon. Mr. Francis Francis has struck a happy (?) medium, and names 
thirty-two flies as important ones for use on a trout stream. Mr. Pennell, 
however, reduces the list to three, all hackles: the green, the brown, the 
yellow. Perhaps I may be pardoned for a line or so on this subject. 
Some years ago I was convinced that form and color were not so neces- 
sary to secure a full creel, a6 the proper manipulation of the fly upon the 
surface of the water. The closer the lure is assimulatcd to the action of 
the struggling insect, the surer the rise and strike of the fish. My 
attention was drawn particularly to this fact, from observing that the 
large sun-perch (the " Kiver" of Western waters), never rose to the tail 
fly, but invariably to the dropper, as it danced or skipped over the water 
under the tension of the current. 1 fish always down or across stream. 
On one occasion when taking an outing with an angling companion, we 
chanced on a large pool, at the upper end of which was a big rock, 



ON FLY MAKING. 125 

First, then, time is essential, as a matter of course, 
for the practice of this pleasing art. We often hear it 
asserted "that life is too brief to admit of fishermen 
making their own flies;" every art and pursuit demand 
a given amount of application, more especially until a 
thorough practical knowledge of it is acquired. To 
claim an exception in the case now before the reader, 
would certainly be unjustifiable ; but in the particular 
circumstances to which we have made allusion, it cannot, 
we think, be denied that it is an advantageous accom- 
plishment to the fly-fisher. Another fact, well known 
to all practitioners, whether amateur or professional, is, 
that the creditable construction of well-known artificials 
requires a certain amount of studious application. Many 
dozens have frequently to be made and discarded before 
the hand acquires the accurate " knack" for each different 
description of fly; therefore, with well-known "stand- 
ards," the professor has unmistakably the advantage, 
large quantities of each of those most difficult to make 
being produced before another variety is taken in hand. 



some five feet in diameter, rising out of the water. Wishing to ex- 
change greetings, my friend stopped on the left of the rock and myself 
on the right. "We found upon inspection that our end flies were identi- 
cal, gray and black palmers tied very "buzz." Mine was much worn 
and jagged — his a " spick and span " fresh one. In a few moments, 
and in a sort of an automatic way, we commenced casting, chatting 
freely in the meanwhile, our flies dropping within two or three feet of 
each other. Soon the talk ceased on my part, being stopped by a plucky 
rise and a lucky strike. Not to be tedious, I then and there killed five 
fish, and my friend did not get a rise. After the fish had stopped rising, 
we queried over and discussed the matter without avail, and it was 
only after 1 had thrown my flies across the pool in hope of getting a 
loiterer, that my friend struck the keynote of the solution, as he ex- 
claimed : " Look at your tail-fly — it leaves a wake behind it like a stern- 
wheel steamer." True it was — my jagged, frayed old palmer was fur- 
rowing the water as a plow would a fallow field. From that day I 
fear that I have been somewhat of a Pennellite on the fly question. I 
give the chapter on fly tying without further comment, premising that 
the amateur tyer will get more than one wrinkle from it. 



126 THE SCIENTIFIC A1STGLEK. 

In fly-making, a natural specimen of the fly it is de- 
sired to imitate should always be placed before the artist. 
Man's greatest achievements in the fine arts are admired, 
and justly so, in proportion to their faithful accordance 
with the originals of nature. Mere reproductions of 
these are not nearly so much esteemed ; for, though the 
original canvas may be valued at its weight in gold, even 
good copies are of small comparative worth. We have 
often deplored the perverseness of individuals who, mis- 
conceiving the object and aim in view, persist in repro- 
ducing old renderings, from books and other sources, 
and thus, instead of endeavoring to improve upon exist- 
ing or old st} T les, merely perpetuate them, and are con- 
tent. Many an old pattern of "artificial" is considered 
irresistible in its season, owing to past exploits in which 
it may have figured favorably, when given the post of 
honor upon the fly-list. Their owners fail to compre- 
hend that their vaunted virtues could and would have 
been eclipsed in the matter of conquests, had a truer, 
and therefore better copy been employed in equally fa- 
vorable circumstances. 

The natural insects, common to all pure running 
streams, are precisely similar upon ail waters productive 
of them; nevertheless the immense diversity in the imita- 
tions (so called by courtesy) is simply astounding. To 
take the Drake, or May fly, as a case in point. Though, 
comparatively, this is a large and well-known fly, we 
venture to assert that if a copy of it be obtained from 
five hundred different fly-dressers, scarcely any two will 
be alike; and it may be, that not many amongst the bet- 
ter renderings have much in common with the original. 
To the eye of the experienced fly-fisher, a glance at the 
handiwork of any fly-dresser proclaims the amount of 
practical knowledge and experience possessed by him. 
To distinguish an old style of fly from a more modern 
one, is a much easier matter; this is a problem, the solu- 



ON FLY MAKING. 127 

tion of which need trouble no individual, as it certainly 
does not the fish. As we have before pointed out, nature 
is far too often imitated from memory, conventionality, 
and tradition. Keproduction in art is a totally different 
matter from reproduction in nature. The first-named 
means in reality degeneration. Through such a process, 
truth, ideality, and efficiency are lost at each succes- 
sive step down the ladder of routine. Let the aspiring 
student study and take his ideal and model from nature, 
and then progress in true worth and efficiency will be 
effected. 

The first thing to note when a strange natural is taken 
in hand to copy, is the position of the wings; as if it be 
"flat-winged," it may be dressed hackle, or palmer-wise, 
instead of being winged; whilst if it be up- winged, it 
should be dressed with wings nearly erect, and broad in 
proportion. The reason for this is obvious. The latter, 
when upon the water, float buoyantly along, over both 
broken and still water, which, however, is scarcely the 
case with the first-named, as the majority of these insects, 
being land flies, naturally fail to take to the water, like 
the "up-winged" natives; therefore to imitate their 
buzzing action the copies are usually made up hackled 
and wingless. The secondary point for consideration is 

The Choice of Coloe, which, we would impress upon 
the mind of the tyro, requires the exercise of a certain 
amount of judgment; as what may appear to be the cor- 
rect thing to look down upon, will in all probability be 
a glaring departure from the tint required when viewed 
from underneath. It must ever be remembered that the 
fish, from their position below the natural fly and the 
copy, see through them; when -viewed thus they will ap- 
pear, as a general rule, several shades lighter. To dis- 
tinguish the correct color of a fly as presented to the fish, 
we know of no better method than to place it in a clear 
glass of water, and hold it between the eye and the light 



128 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

in such a position as to be able to see underneath the in- 
sect. The precise shade of both legs, wings, and body 
will then be accurately ascertained. 

How to Dress the Fly. — "What we hereafter endeavor 
to expound may deviate somewhat from the general rules 
laid down by former writers; but when we state that the 
method of construction to be hereafter divulged has been 
to us as good as a patent since we originated the same, 
we trust our motive in finally making public the result 
of our researches in this by no means unimportant branch 
of our delightful art, will not be misconstrued; as has, 
we fear, been already the case with more than one pre- 
decessor and originator of improvements in artificials, 
whose works have been calumniated by individuals who, 
to hide their own incompetency, have adopted the plan 
of criticising the achievements of men of known merit. 
But we digress. It is customary to make all up-winged 
artificials with drooping wings. These, when wet, or 
when drawn through the water, lie perfectly flat on the 
back of the hook, and when this is the case with a dun 
or spinner, or other ephemeral, it is a glaring departure 
from the original. To dress up-winged flies so as to re- 
tain their all but erect attitude in the water, and that 
when subjected to hard and heavy use, we give the fol- 
lowing: — Let us suppose for the time being that the in- 
tending operator has already fashioned the body, and has 
in readiness the material for its remaining appendages, 
viz., the legs and wings. Isow, instead of next placing 
the legs, and lastly the wings, he must reverse the oper- 
ation by attaching the wings first, the addition of the 
legs completing the process. To particularize, the wings 
should not be detached prior to being put upon the fly. 
The feather should also be ample in dimensions. A half- 
inch breadth of fibre from a small bird's quill feather, 
doubled so as to form the separate wings when attached, 
is about the amount requisite for the March brown, two 



OK FLY MAKING. 129 

thirds of this quantity for the olire dun order, and one 
half for the iron blue duns. After securing the wings, 
which should be about the length of the hook, thus a 
little longer than the body, they are placed in their cor- 
rect position. The hackle, with which it is intended to 
form the legs, is then turned or wrapped into position 
underneath the wings, the whole being well supported by 
a few well-planted turns of the tying silk, which done, 
all that remains is for the silk to be knotted or looped 
off in the usual way, and your up-winged fly is complete. 
With reference to the first stage of its construction, much 
necessarily depends upon the precise nature of the mate- 
rial to be used and worked up. The best and most reli- 
able way of reproducing the varying tinges of the bodies 
of the flies is by the use of raw silks and natural furs. 
The foundation of the body of the fly is formed as fol- 
lows: — The hook is taken in the forefinger and thumb of 
the left hand (point downwards), the tying silk in the 
right. A few turns of the silk are now given round the 
shank of the hook. Meanwhile, as a preliminary ar- 
rangement, the gut is slightly indented with the teeth at 
the extremity to be secured. This lessens the chances of 
drawing, especially in the hands of the tyro. The tying 
silk should now be un twisted, so as to take all turn out 
of it, preparatory to wrapping on. This done, the artist 
works the textile round, leaving a fifth of the shank end 
of the hook bare to fit on the wings, the gut and hook, 
in so doing, straining the silk to its utmost tension. If 
whisks or tails are used, they should be secured by a 
couple of turns of the silk when the bend of the hook is 
reached, the fur (if any) to be in readiness. A minute 
portion is taken by the thumb and finger of the disen- 
gaged right hand, and twisted or rolled with the tying 
silk so as to adhere to that part of it near the hook, 
which done, the silk thus prepared may now carefully 
retrace the body, to form the ribs of the fly. These 



130 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

should be at a regular and natural distance apart. The 
surplus fur is then to be taken both from the silk left 
and the body of the "artificial" (which is now complete) 
by an effective "nip" or two of the finger and thumb, 
just leaving sufficient upon the hook's shank to faithfully 
represent the tinge required. When the ribs are of a 
contrasted hue, more carefulness still is necessary to give 
due effect. "When the wings and legs are attached to the 
body, after the manner we have pointed out, a prim and 
neat rendering of an ephemeral is formed in fautless 
attitude. 

The following are the various dressings for the Olive 
Dun shades: — 

The February and November Shade (commonly 
known as the Blue Dun). — Body, a small portion of blue 
fur spun sparingly on yellow silk; wings, from the field- 
fare's wing feather; legs, a light dun hackle. 

March an"d October Shade (cock-winged dun). 
— Body, a small portion of water-rat's fur, spun sparingly 
on full yellow silk; wings, from an old starling's quill 
feather; legs, a bluish dun hackle, freckled with yellow, 
or a blue dun hackle slightly stained yellow. 

Those of April and September (Olive or April Dun). 
— Body, small portion of blue fur, spun on yellow silk; 
wings, palest part of a young starling's wing feather; 
legs, a light dun hackle, freckled with or stained yellow. 

Dark April Dun. — Rust-colored fur to be used in lieu 
of the pale blue for body. In September the rust-like 
shade of body here alluded to is yet more conspicuous. 
It is then termed in some localities the 

Whirling Blue Dun. — The body being formed by still 
more pronounced ruddy fur; legs, a dull ginger hackle. 
This latter is very difficult to procure. An ordinary 
ginger Cochin hen's preserved neck, steeped in copperas 
water, will be found to answer admirably. 



ON FLY MAKING. 131 

Pale Blue Bun. — Body to be dressed or formed with 
pale blue silk; legs, a pale dun hackle; "wings, from a 
starling's short quill feather. 

May and August Shades (Yellow Dun of May). — 
Body, palish yellow mohair, mixed with a little pale blue 
fur, spun upon palish yellow silk; wings, young star- 
ling's or fieldfare's quill; legs, a light dun hackle, freck- 
led with yellow. 

Hare's Ear Dun. — Body, blue mole's fur, dressed with 
silk of a pronounced yellow; wings, from the redwing's 
quill; legs, hare's fur from behind the ear. 

The name of this dressing is taken, for convenience 
sake, in common with the rest here given, from the 
nature of the material used in the copies of the graduated 
shades of the naturals, which periodically occur as the 
season advances and recedes. 

In June Shade (G-olden Dun), to be tied or dressed 
with deep yellow silk, neatly ribbed with fine gold wire; 
wings from a young starling's longer fiberia quill; legs, a 
palish dull hackle, freckled with yellow. 

The common Yellow Dun is the same dressing, minus 
the gold tassel, the waxed tying silk being used for the 
formation of the body. 

Those of July (Pale Evening "White). — Body a little 
white "fur spun on pale buff- colored silk. Wings the 
palest part of a young starling's wing feather; legs a pale 
dun hackle. 

Pale Evening Bun. — Body, yellow martin's fur, spun 
sparingly on yellow silk; wings, starling, slightly stained 
yellow; legs, a brassy dun hackle. A pale blue hackle, 
stained in weak yellow dye, forms an excellent substitute. 

July Bun. — Body, blue rabbit's fur, mixed with yellow 
mohair; wings, the bluest part of a fieldfare's wing, 
stained slightly yellow; legs, a darkish dun hackle. Ty- 
ing silk, yellow. 



132 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

The Iron-Blue Dun Family or Order may be dressed 
as under: — 

Foe April and Mat, also September and Octo- 
ber (Iron Blue Dun). — Body, blue fur from the owl, 
spun around mulberry -colored silk; wings, from the male 
merlin hawk's wing; legs, a freckled blue dun hackle, 
stained slightly by brown dye. Tying silk, mauve. For 
the light shade, the body should be dressed with a strip 
of a quill feather, stained the desired hue, or the tying 
silk only may serve for the purpose. 

August and September (Little Pale Blue). — Body, 
a small portion of pale blue fur, mixed with a little yel- 
low mohair, spun upon pale yellow or primrose-colored 
silk; wings, from the quill feather, or from the small 
feathers upon the knob of the wings of the sea-swallow — 
a pair of the latter to be used back-to-back; legs, a pale 
dull hackle. 

October and November (October Dun). — To be 
dressed from same material as the shades of the Olive 
Duns for April. The size the same as the Iron Blue, and 
therefore one-half that of the olive order. 

General Flies (Red Spinner). — Body, copper-col- 
ored silk, ribbed with round gold thread; whisks, three 
strands from a red feather from the back saddle of a 
game cock; legs, fiery brown hackle, from the neck of 
the same bird; wings, from an old starling's end quill. 

Dark ditto same as the above, but the floss silk for 
body, and the hackle for legs, should be a shade or two 
darker, the latter approaching a claret. 

Golden ditto. — Body, gold-colored silk, to be ribbed 
the same as the red spinner; legs, sandy hen's hackle; 
wings, fieldfaro quill. 

Jenny Spinner. — This is, perhaps, the most delicate 
fly to copy correctly of the whole species of aerial and 
aquatic insects that become food for fish. We find it 



ON FLY MAKING. 133 

kills best when dressed buzz or hacklewise. The body 
should be formed with floss silk of two shades, the 
ground-work being white, with a bright crimson band 
near the head and tail. It may also be tied with crimson 
silk, so as to form a head of that color. The hackle 
may be a white hen's, or a small white feather from the 
knob of a pigeon's wiug. 

The first three shades of spinners are the transforma- 
tion of the Olive Dun Order. The last given is the 
metamorphosis of the iron blue. 

For tlie large browns (ephemeral) the following are 
given: — 

Foe March and April (March Brown). — Body, fur 
from the back of a hare's neck, spun on reddish, buff- 
colored silk, ribbed with fine gold twist; tails, two 
strands of a feather from the back of a partridge; legs, 
a partridge's neck feather. 

For Mat and June — (Light shade, commonly known 
as the Turkey brown). — Body, light drab fur, ribbed 
with gold twist; wings, liglit partridge quill; legs, grisly 
dun. 

For August — (Commonly termed August Dun). — 
Body, to be tied on, or dressed with ale brown silk, 
ribbed with, yellow silk^ wings, from a cock pheasant's 
wing feather; legs, a pale dull brown cock's hackle. 

We now come to the May-fly, or Drake — the Ephemeral 
series. The green drake, like all the smaller flies, re- 
quires copying accurately, in respect to the most minute 
detail. As we elsewhere pointed out, there exists no 
greater diversity amongst the imitations of any particular 
fly, than is the case with this. That it is an extremely 
difficult one to dress, we readily admit, and that it is 
quite possible to copy effectually is also readily conceded. 
But to suppose that much more than one-third the im- 
mense varieties of patterns manufactured can be success- 



134 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLER. 

ful is an absurdity, hence it is they are so frequently dis- 
carded altogether, the live fly being substituted. But 
these are not always to be had, even upon the most pro- 
lific waters, therefore a good artificial proves a most de- 
sirable auxiliary, even to the live-fly fisher. The main 
point to direct the attention of the artist, is the choice of 
material. This should take the precedence of all and 
everything else in May-fly making; skill in constructing 
it is not nearly so much called for as in the smaller orders 
of the same species. Indeed, it may be affirmed that 
the drake, owing to its size, is comparatively easy, whilst 
the smallest ephemeral insects may be classed amongst 
the most difficult. The fly-dresser has to reproduce; but, 
as we have stated, the difficulty lies in procuring the 
material requisite for a good artificial. Dyed mallard 
feathers are for the most part used for wings, but of late 
years natural ones have been largely employed, notably 
those of the Egyptian goose, Avhich present a decided 
brown tinge to the eye, but Avhen held up to the light 
bear a much nearer resemblance to the tint of the natu- 
ral. For our part we may say that for several seasons we 
have used the breast and side feathers of the Canadian 
wood duck, which, even when looked down upon, strik- 
ingly favors the peculiar green-yellow tinge of nature's 
original; and when viewed from beneath, and compared 
with the genuine thing, the beholder cannot fail to ap- 
preciate the similarity. The material to be employed in 
the construction of the body determines, more than any- 
thing else, the floating powers of the fly. Wheaten 
straw, when rightly tinted, is the best substance to be 
employed. This should bo well secured at each extrem- 
ity, and a hollow left in the middle of the body. Red- 
brown colored silk should be used to bind and form the 
ribs of this. The whisks should be three strands of a 
partridge's tail feather; the rabbit's whiskers usually 
used act very detrimentally as regards hooking the fish, 



.OX FLY MAKING. 135 

which, as they essay to lay hold of the fly at the tail, are 
foiled in a measure by the undue stiffness of the head 
feelers of the animal, which cannot be said to have been 
designed to grace the tail of anything. As regards legs, 
these in a floating fly should be ample and full; a freck- 
led breast feather of a ginger hue, entwined with a cock's 
honey dun hackle, is a combination that answers remark- 
ably well. The fly. above described we have found so 
successful and recommended it so strongly, that it has 
been dubbed "Foster's Favorite" by the many who now 
advocate its use. The gray or black transformation of 
the green drake may be rendered as follows: — Widgeon 
or dark mallard's feather, dyed pale slate color; body, 
white straw put on as above, ribbed with dark mulberry- 
colored silk; legs, two dun cock's hackles, these may be 
dressed from shoulders to tail; whisks, three strands of a 
black cock's saddle feather. 

Green Drake. — Body, straw-colored mohair, ribbed 
with gold twist; wings, from a mallard's mottled feather, 
slightly dyed yellow; legs, honey-dun cock's hackle; the 
head of the fly to be formed with copper-colored silk. 
To make this fly buzz, a mottled feather from a mallard, 
stained as above. 

For the gray copy, we give the following: — 

Gray Drake. — Body, white floss silk, ribbed with silver 
twist, tied on with brown silk; tails may be made from 
hair from under the jaws of a brown horse; wings, mot- 
tled feather from the mallard; legs, a dark dun or black 
cock's hackle. To" make this fly buzz, a dark mottled 
feather from the mallard. This fly may be used with 
success from six o'clock until twilight. 

For the Dark Mackerel. — Body, copper-colored mo- 
hair, ribbed with gold twist; wings, from the brown 
mottled feather of a mallard; tails may be got from under 
the jaws of a brown horse; legs, a dark mulberry-colored 
stained cock's hackle. 



136 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLEK. 

To take the various species of flies in their proper 
order, we come next to the Phryganeidce order, which 
ranges as follows: — 

February lied, or Red fly. — The body of this fly is 
dubbed with dark-brown mohair, mixed with claret- 
colored mohair ; wings, from the hen pheasant, or dot- 
terel wing feather ; legs, dark-brown feather from a pale 
partridge's neck, or a cock's hackle of the same color. 

Sand fly. — Body, fur from the back of a hare's neck 
spun sparingly on pale orange silk ; legs, a pale dull- 
colored ginger hackle; wing, from a landrail's wing 
feather. 

Cinnamon fly. — Body, fur from a hare's neck, mixed 
with a small portion of sable fur, spun on pale dull 
orange-colored silk ; wings, from a brown hen's wing 
feather ; legs, a pale dull ginger-colored cock's hackle. 

Grannum, or Greentail. — Body, fur from the hare's 
neck, spun on fawn-colored silk, with two laps of green 
floss-silk on the tail; legs, a pale ginger-hackle; wings, 
the palest part of a hen pheasant's wing feather. 

The above being what are usually termed flat-wings, 
should be dressed as in the old method, i.e., wings last, 
so as to resemble the naturals. 

The Perlidm order ranks next. Some of these it is 
best not to wing at all ; the dim hackle from the knobs 
of wings of various birds forming an excellent substitute 
for legs and wings when carefully wound on like an or- 
dinary hackle. 

Stone fly. — Body, dark-colored fur, spun with full yel- 
low silk, to be ribbed with some silk of same color, mi- 
waxed ; wings, from the quill-wing feather of a cock 
pheasant, or may be cut from a sheet of gutta-percha 
(pure), dyed in cold blue dye ; legs, a black cock's hackle 
stained yellow; this, if rightly made will form an excel- 



02* FLY MAKING. 137 

lent artificial fly, not to be excelled by any combination 
of feathers and fur alone. 

Willow fly. — Body, water rat's fur spun sparingly on 
yelloAV silk ; legs and wings made buzz, from a dark dun 
hackle, with a brownish tint in it, or a small dark feather 
from the merlin hawk's wing. 

Needle fly. — Body, sable fur spun upon yellow silk, 
dressed hackle with small brown feather from the knob 
of a fieldfare's wing. This fly may be formed by a strip 
of the enamelled quill of a peacock's feather, which forms 
the alternate shades of ribs beautifully. This has been 
introduced by a clever southern angler. 

Yellow Sally. — This should never be dressed winged; 
it falls upon the water as a heavy beetle would be sup- 
posed to do, therefore the wings not being extended are 
not seen by the fish. The most killing way is to hackle 
it palmerwise, with a white hen's hackle dyed light yel- 
low, or by the small feather round a white pigeon's wing, 
stained as above ; the body to be yellow mohair. 

The casual killers amongst the land flies may be dressed 
as under: — 

The Cowdung fly. — To be dressed or tied on with pale 
dun orange-colored silk; body, yellow lamb's wool, mixed 
with a little green mohair; wings, from a landrail's wing 
feather; legs, pale dull ginger-colored hackle. 

Oak fly, or Down-looker. — Body, pale orange floss silk, 
tied on with pale lead-colored silk; wings from the wood- 
lark's wing feather; legs, a furnace hackle. 

Marlow Buzz, Cocli-y-londu, of Wales. — Body, peacock 
herl, hackle with bright furnace feather. The red tag 
(fancy fly) is formed by the simple addition of a red tag, 
or tuft of wool or feather at the tail. 

Brown Palmer, Bracken's Clock. — Body, black ostrich 
herl, ribbed with round gold twist, hackled with red 
cock's hackle stained. 



138 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLER. 

Blue Bottle, or Beef Eater. — Body, light blue floss 
silk, ribbed over -with black ostrich herl and silver twist, 
tied on with brown silk; wings, from an old starling's 
wing feather; legs, a black hackle. 

Wrentail. — Body, amber-colored floss silk, or ginger- 
colored fur from a hare's neck, ribbed with gold twist; 
legs and wings made buzz from a wren's tail feather. 

Red Ant. — To be tied or dressed with orange-colored 
silk, which may be shown at the tail; body, copper-colored 
peacock's herl; legs, a red cock's hackle; wings, from a 
redwing's feather. 

Black Ant. — To be tied on or dressed with pale dull 
fawn-colored silk, which may be shown at the tail; body, 
black rabbit's fur, well mixed with copper-colored mo- 
hair; legs, a dark furnace hackle. 

Black Gnat. — Body, ostrich herl; wings, from a starl- 
ing's wing feather ; legs, a dark blue dun, or black 
hackle. 

Gray Gnat. — Body, gray mohair, or wool hackle, with 
sea-swallow feather. 

Red Palmer, or Caterpillar. — Body, copper-colored 
peacock's herl, tied with brown silk, ribbed with gold 
twist, a bright brown red-stained cock's hackle, having a 
gold-color when held between the eye and the light. 

The Alexandra fly. — Body, flat silver twist hackled 
with bright feather of green or blue hue, from the neck 
of a peacock; wings (if any) from the turkey's wing. 

How to dress a simple Hackle: — 

The first effort of the fly-making aspirant should be 
expended upon the wingless artificials; of these there are 
two kinds, the plain Hackle and the Palmer; the former 
is the best to commence with, it being the easiest to 
make; but before attempting to describe the method, we 
would remind our readers that there is a vast distinction 
between practical and verbal teachings. Observation in 



ON FLY MAKING. 139 

these matters is superior, as a source for conveying 
knowledge, to reading; therefore, where available, a few 
lessons from a proficient will be found highly beneficial. 

The process of forming the body for a Hackle fly is 
not identical with the same operation in the winged one. 
In the construction of the latter, a small portion of the 
shank of the hook itself is left bare to fix the wings 
upon, to thereby form the head neatly. This, however, 
is formed, to begin in the case of the buzzy or hackle fly, 
by a few turns of the silk at the extremity of the shank; 
a little blank is then left for the hackle to fit or fill in; 
the body is then to be formed m the usual way. This 
completed, the hackle feather must be taken in hand, 
first having been stripped of its downy surplus fibres, the 
root of the stem is secured by a couple of turns of the 
tying silk at the shoulder of the fly. The hackle thus 
seoured at its lower extremity, is ready for fitting in. Its 
point is then to be taken hold of with the tweezers, and 
two or more turns of the feather given; the end is then 
to be secured by a turn or two of the silk, the invisible 
knot formed, and the fly is made, wanting only the silk 
end to be cut carefully away to complete the thing. The 
Palmer is artificial that is hackled from head to tail, such 
as the bumbles, caterpillars, etc. The process of body 
making is identical, in this instance, with the hackle fly 
just detailed, except a little addition in the shape of herl, 
a strand of which is wound around the gut and silk, the 
feather being turned over this, and the bit of tinsel or 
silk, by way of ribbing, going over the whole, for the 
sake of both use and ornament. 

We append a few dressings for the various bumbles and 
palmers, which, though in some instances deemed fancy 
flies, are often good killers. 

Bumble, ordinary. — Hackle, white hen's, slightly stained 
blue; body, peacock herl, ribbed with orange and puce- 
colored silk (floss) ; tying silk, brown. 



140 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLEE. 

Mulberry Bumble.— Hackle, dun hen's; bod}*, peacock 
herl, ribbed with mulberry-colored floss silk; tying silk, 
claret. 

Bed Bumble, or Earwig. — Hackle, red cock's, stained; 
body, peacock herl, ribbed with gold silk; tying silk, 
dark brown. 

Honey dun Bumble. — Hackle, honey dun hen's; body, 
peacock herl, ribbed with orange floss silk; tying silk, 
yellow. 

Furnace Bumble. — Hackle, furnace cock's; body, pea- 
cock; or black herl, ribbed with dark orange silk; tying 
silk, red brown. 

Black Palmer. — Hackle, black cock's, ribbed with fine 
silver twist; tying silk, black. 

Golden Palmer. — Hackle, bright furnace; body, pea- 
cock herl, ribbed with gold twist. 

Gray Palmer. — Hackle, cock's, with black centre and 
whitish gray edge, ribbed with fine round silver tinsel ; 
tying silk, black. 

A variety of palmers may be made by intermixing the 
materials here given for the particular shades. 

Salmon Flies. — In the construction of these there 
exists a grand distinction. The taste and fancy of the 
operator are called into request, and nothing in nature 
demands his study and attention more. A happy com- 
bination and contrast of various hues and colors, from 
6ombre to brilliant, are the main object. 

Salmon arc extremely effeminate in the love of finery 
and tinsel, especially in the case of habitually discolored 
waters. There are rivers upon which flies of a more 
sombre hue than the general run are used; but the 
bright and brilliant combination is found irresistible, 
more or less, wherever salmon are to be found, when they 
are in a mood for rising and gambolling. The great 
thing to keep in the mind's eye when choosing or con- 



OK FLY MAKING. 141 

structing a salmon fly, is the shine through the feathers, 
wool, mohair, etc., when held above the head, and thus 
viewed from beneath. 

Some dressings are almost of one universal dull shade, 
or no shade at all, when held in the posture seen by the 
fish; others will have the color rightly seen sinning 
through in a few patches; but the correct thing is to get 
the whole of the legs, tail, and body to shine brilliantly 
through, as well as when looked down upon, and the 
fault will be not of the fly if it be refused by the fish. 
The materials used for salmon flies are especially picked 
with a view to their effect when seen from below; as for 
instance, the hard-to-be-procured pig's wool, which for 
transparency of shade stands well nigh unequalled; also 
mohair, which, though of finer texture, possesses the 
same characteristics. These, when well placed upon the 
hook shank, shine most effectively when wet, and viewed 
from below. Another feature in the arrangement of the 
salmon fly, the enormously large, and in many cases 
heavy hook, has to be floated as long as it is possible, 
and that in a right position. The old arrangement was 
best calculated to meet this difficulty, large wings being 
attached so as to preserve the side posture of the lure as 
it rested upon the water. 

We give a few odd salmon flies for general use, that 
are not at present generally known. Prefixed to these 
are a few of those most commonly in use: — The Spanker, 
the Eob Roy, the Spartan, the Tarn o' Shanter, and the 
Mac Sporren. 

Description of the Spanker.— Tag, flat single tinsel and 
cerise floss silk; tail, golden pheasant's topping; a few 
strands of scarlet flamingo's quill feather; body, orange, 
light and dark, and cerise floss silk bound over an old 
cock's hackle stained slightly sky-blue, the latter being 
palmered from the head to the tail, another of these 
forming legs; wings, turkey, with several side strands of 



142 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

argus pheasant wing feathers, and red, yellow, and puce- 
colored feelers or strands. 

The Rob Roy. — Tag, gold (flat) and orange floss silk; 
body, orange mohair, graduating through full and dark 
orange to dull red; legs, guinea-fowl neck feather, 
stained yellow, and a black cock's hackle, also stained 
yellow wings, black turkey feather; side feathers, jungle 
cock's hackle; streamers, yellow and red; head, black 
ostrich herl 

Tlie Spartan. — Tag, gold (round), white floss silk and 
peacock heii; tail, three strands from a green feather 
from the neck of a peacock, and a few strands of yellow 
and scarlet lucan breast and neck feathers; body, hackled 
with claret stained hackle, wound over with gold twist 
(heavy round) and bright-colored silk; legs, dark blue 
hackle, and guinea-fowl feather over all; wings, golden 
pheasant's tail feather, ditto neck or tippet feathers for 
sides, blue chatterer's over all: head, peacock's herl. 

The Tarn o' Shanter. — Tag, red silk silver twist (round); 
tail, a few yellow and red spires of macaw feathers, helped 
with a few strands of blue or green peacock's neck 
feather; body, pig's wool, navy blue, with broad flat sil- 
ver twist; legs, rich fiery brown hackle; wings, bustard 
feather; sides of ditto, American wood duck feather; a 
few strands of argus pheasant's dark feather to be also 
added in larger flies. 

The Mac Sporren. — Tag, flat silver, and blue silk. 
Body, fiery brown pig's wool ribbed with round gold 
twist; legs, orange and purple, hackled (stained); wings, 
golden pheasant, red sides tail feathers; toppings, large 
strands of albatross wing feather; streamers red and 
green over all, kingfisher's feathers, or blue chatterer. 
The following are well-known dressings: — 
Jock Scott. — Tag, gold twist: tail, one golden pheasant 
topping, and Indian crow feather; body in two parts; 



ON FLY MAKING. 143 

head, part black floss silk, with silver twist and palmered 
black hackle; tail ditto, gold colored; at each joint are 
tied several toucan points, these being backed up by two 
turns of black herl. For wings, white tipped turkey 
feather fibres of pintail bustard, brown mallard, with one 
long topping, and yellow, red, and green streamers over 
all, a jungle cock on either. 

The Butcher. — Tag, gold twist and orange floss; tail, a 
single topping of golden pheasant, with band of black 
ostrich herl; body, alternate turns of red and full blue, 
either mohair or pig's wool, broad silver tinsel, palmered 
with claret hackle; wing, mixture of brown mallard, 
bustard, peacock wing, wood-duck, golden pheasant tip- 
pet and rump feathers; streamers, blue and yellow over 
all; head, black ostrich herl. 

The Doctor. — Tag, scarlet silk and fine gold twist; 
tail, one topping; body, light blue floss silk, palmered 
with medium blue hackle, broad silver tinsel and twist; 
legs, blue hackle, with brown grouse or partridge over 
all; wing, argus pheasant's, brown turkey, and bustard; 
streamers, yellow, blue, and claret; black herled head. 

The Shannon. — Tag, gold tinsel, and lemon-colored 
silk; tail, scarlet ibis or flamingo, two toppings, and blue 
macaw, black ostrich band; body, alternate colored silks, 
beginning at the tail end, pale blue, full orange, violet 
and medium green, the alternate colors being set off by a 
hackle of the same shade, also ribbed with ostrich herl 
dyed same color as alternate joints; wings, two yellow 
macaw feathers, black-centered (usually), a single strip of 
dark argus pheasant on either side, also a few fibres of 
golden pheasant tippet, two small blue chatterer's 
feathers, and two large toppings over all; legs, fiery 
brown feather, black head. 

Blacker 's Gaudy Fly. — Tail, two slips of brown mal- 
lard, and one topping or crest feather (golden pheasant) ; 



144 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

tag, gold orange floss and ostrich herl; body, one-third 
crimson, palmered with black hackle, one-third scarlet, 
with scarlet backle, finish the body with crimson and 
scarlet hackle oyer it; wings, well mottled red and black 
turkey, feather off golden pheasant's back under it ; 
streamers, red and blue; legs, guinea-fowl feather; head, 
ostrich herl. 

The Rainbow. — Tail, light greenfeather, pheasant's 
topping, few fibres of bright green feathers ; tag, flat, 
gold ; body, pig's wool, graduating from bright yellow 
through orange, scarlet, to purple, and broad gold tinsel; 
wings, two toppings and two jungle cock's hackles, and 
two mottled feathers from under snipe's wing; streamers, 
crimson; legs, blue and brown hackles. 

Tlie Spcy Dog. — Black pig's wool body, sparingly rib- 
bed with broad silver tinsel, to be palmered with black- 
cock saddle or side-tail feather, the thick end of hackle 
terminating at tail end of fly ; in addition to the flat 
silver tinsel, gold of half the width is also run from head 
to tail ; wings, golden pheasant tail ; left bushy, and a 
few fibres of brown mallard, to be shouldered with a teal 
hackle. 

The Parson. — Tail, two toppings, and a few fibres of 
peacock's blue neck feathers ; tag, silver tinsel and full 
red floss ; body, a turn or two of golden floss, then orange 
pig's wool shading gradually darker up body, ribbed with 
silver twist, palmered with orange hackle ; legs, hackle 
of dark shade ; wings, two golden pheasant tippet feath- 
ers, two pairs of topjnngs, wood-duck and turkey on 
either side. 

The Ranger. — Tag, silver twist and gold-colored floss 
silk ; tail, red breast-feather of golden pheasant, and a 
topping footed with two turns of black ostrich ; body, 
fiery brown pig's wool one-half, remainder pale blue ditto, 
to be palmered with blue hackle ; legs, wood-duck hackle 



FLY FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING. 145 

from under wing ; wings, two tippets, a couple of jungle 
cock's hackles, with a topping over all. 



CHAPTER XII. 



FLY FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING.* 

ATTRACTIONS OF SURFACE FISHING; THE ROD, LINE, AND WTNCH; 
CASTING, STRIKING, PLAYING, AND LANDING ; THE WET AND 
DRY FLY SYSTEMS ; BROOK FISHING ; METEOROLOGICAL EF- 
FECTS ON SPORT ; NIGHT FISHING ; THE DOVE. 

The superiority of the art of Fly-fishing over all other 
systems of angling is universally acknowledged. The 
ever-exciting nature of surface fishing adds a zest to the 
sport, unknown to the other branches of the art pisca- 
torial. The high pitch of expectation experienced as the 
rising fish daintily ' ' plop " off the insects around, ex- 
tends a highly exhilarating influence over both mind and 
body. The whole of the faculties are thus concentrated 
in one focus, ever stimulating to still greater earnestness 
and efficiency. It is owing to these characteristics, this 
scope for science and skill, that this sport is and has 
been the chosen recreation of men of the greatest celeb- 
rity and the highest attainments of modern times. Since 
the time of Walton the angler's skill has advanced won- 
drously, whilst keenness of perception and wariness have 
developed amongst the denizens of the liquid element in 
a degree quite proportionate. The well educated inhab- 
itants of the classic streams of the Midlands and of the 
south, the former clear from the limestone district of the 

* We commend this chapter to the careful reading of American 
anglers. 

7 



146 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

Peak, and the latter pure from chalk districts, require 
no small proficiency and tact to secure e\en moderate 
sport generally ; nevertheless the accomplished fly-fisher 
can usually manage to bag a respectable dish, even under 
circumstances adverse to sport. On the other hand we 
have a multiplicity of trouting streams and brooks, espe- 
cially those north of the Tweed, whose fish are in a 
manner unsophisticated, and comparatively unacquainted 
with the wiles of mau. Amongst these the young student, 
on commencing operations, will do well to make a selec- 
tion. The adept at flying for trout, when at work in 
real earnest upon the banks of a well-stocked stream, is 
a striking figure, exemplary of the true fisherman. The 
gracefully erect though expectant attitude, the latter as- 
sumed upon the delivery of the fly, the slender pliable 
rod, the long floating line and gossamer gut, combine to 
constitute an ideal rodster. Before entering full}' on the 
details of the subject, we would jot down a few brief in- 
structions for the special benefit of the novice, who, as- 
piring to proficiency, must be prepared to acquire expe- 
rience at some cost ; and our object is to reduce that cost 
as much as possible. 

The first consideration that should engage the atten- 
tion of the tyro is throwing or casting ; and after that 
has been well practised and a ten or twelve yards cast 
can be neatly made, he may essay striking and playing. 
Dace or Perch in the summer months afford ample scope 
for the acquirement of these accomplishments. It is the 
determined will to succeed that attains its object ; and 
when the resolve is once taken there is the immediate 
response of the will to the perceptive powers seen in the 
discernment of a rise, and at once, and without delay, 
the quarry is successfully struck. "Well do we remember 
our first take with the fly ; filled with the ardor natural 
to youth we were foolish enough to resolve to effect a 
capture prior to quitting the river's brim. All the day 



FLY FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING. 147 

we flogged and fished, the result being simply nil; ten, 
twelve, and thirteen hours passed away without so much 
as moving a fin. The summer twilight set in, shadowing 
the outlines of the surrounding landscape. Still our res- 
olution was firm, and in keeping with a set purpose we 
presented the lure more gently, and with greater preci- 
sion upon the edge of the shadows caused by the rising 
moon, where the heavy ' switching' sound, repeated at 
short intervals, proclaimed the daily dinner hour of a 
veteran. After casting for some time directly over 
him, we finally hooked the fish. As we had had the 
discretion to fit up a strong collar * to carry the large fly 
employed, we had very little difficulty in landing our 
quarry, which was afterwards found to measure seventeen 
inches in length, and nine and one-half inches in girth, 
scaling two and three-quarters pounds, a venerable mons- 
ter in truth to our boyish eyes. 

Care and patience in execution are required, after the 
rudiments of the art have been acquired; a non-observance 
of these is sure to materially interfere with sport. Per- 
severance is all "very well in its place, but when unaided 
by the exercise of due care and tact in presenting the 
lure, it will meet with small result. The tyro should 
therefore practice assiduously, ever bearing in mind that 
much as he may admire and aspire to a nearer acquaint- 
ance with the scaly beauties, they are coy and ungrateful. 
The instant they become aware of his paying them the 
least attention, they move contemptuously away; and no 
matter how lovingly he drops them a line, all further 
correspondence is thanklessly declined. It behooves him 
therefore to keep out of sight as much as possible, never 
allowing the sun to extend his shadow across the stream, 
always also avoiding conspicuously bright clothing; for 
notwithstanding the naturalist's persistent assertions as 

* The collar, casting line, lash or point are names indiscriminately 
used in England to designate the leader — so called in the United States. 



148 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

to the dullness of the eves of fish, owing, it is affirmed, 
to the skin of the head covering the pupil of the eye, 
the trout fisher knows very well that in their own ele- 
ment they habitually exercise the most keen and dis- 
criminating powers of vision, when the water is clear; 
and any moving or brightly-colored objects outside it 
attract their attention.* In order to deal comprehen- 
sively with our subject, for the more especial edification 
of the tyro, we shall proceed to allude in detail to the 
leading items already referred to as being essential to 
success, viz. : —Casting the Fly, Playing or Landing, and 
Killing a Fish. Before doing so, however, the necessary 
appliances must engage our attention. 

The Eod, Keel and Line should be well adapted to 
act perfectly and in concert with each other. We have 
already pointed out the inconvenience and disaster arising 
from the common practice of employing implements to- 
tally incapable of working together evenly. The intending 
purchaser most frequently considers what is the strength, 
length or thickness of line required for some specified 
water or fish, and not for a particular rod. The rod 
forms the first subject of attention; the winch, or reel 
and line being next chosen, with a view to the harmoni- 
ous working of the whole, the reel to balance, and the 
line to suit the " play " of the tool. This is of the most 
vital importance. Fly-rods are made of many different 
woods and dimensions. It is a noteworthy fact, how- 
ever, that during the two centuries that have elapsed 
since Cotton first wrote upon what afterwards developed 

*I have always been under the impression that it was not the sub- 
stance of our presence, but the shadow of it, that startled the fish; that 
when fishing with the sun's rays full on our front, and even on dark, 
cloudy days, our body and moving rod-arm, although throwing no 
shadow upon the water visible to the human eye, were reflected upon 
the stream to an extent appreciable and alarming to the fish, indicating 
to them an unusual condition of affairs that boded no good and placed 
them upon their guard. 



FLY FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING. 149 

into the most artistic and scientific branch of angling, 
the length of the fly-rod has diminished by more than 
one-half. Notwithstanding this diminution of size, and 
we may also add of weight, the casting powers of the 
rodster have been so much augmented, that almost dou- 
ble the distance may now be neatly covered by the adult 
adept than was effected with the unwieldy weapons of 
our forefathers. * The propelling power of the fly-rod 
depends largely upon the material of which it is con- 
structed, f The fine-grained woods of the tropics exceed 
our own in point of strength, durability, and weight- 
sustaining powers. 

The following are the materials and dimensions of a 
really serviceable fly-rod for small stream fishing: — Three 
joints or parts, each three feet six inches, the butt to 
consist of hickory or washaba, the middle joint of best 
washaba, greenheart, or blue mahoo, the top of snake- 
wood, or best jungle cane, the whole being ten feet six 
inches. The ferrule at the top of the butt should be 
6 / ir th of an inch inside; the one at the top of the middle 
joint one-quarter of an inch. The actual weight of a rod 
of this description will be small. % 

The points to receive attention are strength and plia- 
bility; a combination of these forms the perfect casting- 
rod; and the more these qualities are exemplified in a 
rod, the greater the distance to be covered by it, and that 



* The Casting at the Tournament held in New York City in 1883 at- 
tests the truth of the statement in the text. 

+ This dictum of our author will be forcibly "backed up " by every 
manufacturer on both continents. Makers of rods of split-bamboo, 
greenheart, lancewood, Bethabara, hornbeam, et. al., are of one accord, 
at least, on this point. 

X The proper and standard weight of the rod is rated in England at 
one ounce to each foot — ten feet, ten ounces. 



150 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLEE. 

with perfect precision. With a view to extend in the 
direction here indicated, we have made many experiments 
with metal and wood of every variety, as also with other 
substances of pliancy and strength. Metal, either hcllow 
or solid, is too heavy and cumbersome; wood of green- 
heart, red locust, snake, and other descriptions, proves 
strong and pliant, and is so when spliced, like the mast of 
a ship, or similar to the glued-up American cane rods; but 
there is no especial advantage to commend them, seeing the 
weight is increased by something like one-third over the 
same substance solid and non-glued. The modern three 
yards rod, as we have said, can be made to deliver more 
line, and that in a more elegant and sportsmanlike man- 
ner than a longer one. 

But the question naturally arises, if the fly-rod has 
been diminished one-half during two centuries, of what 
dimensions is it likely to become in the immediate fu- 
ture ? Our reply is, that in the course of a decade or so, 
still further reductions will take place. The length of a 
rod, as is now well known, has very little to do with the 
distance it can be made to cast the fly; the casting powers 
entirely depend on the pliancy and strength, hence it is 
that the very hardest, and we may also add, the most 
weighty (for one characteristic is almost inseparable from 
the other) woods are so far superior to open-grained 
northern timber. Bone, as is already known, is too 
heavy, buffalo horn is too limber when dressed in tops. 
The result of our investigations is, that a combination 
of the best metal and the best wood, would, if arranged 
correctly, and in right proportions, be an advance in a 
desirable direction. We therefore had a rod made of the 
very best of strong woods, with a fine bevelled steel 
centre, and this proved when, after some alterations, it 
was completed, to bear out the hopes conceived in respect 
to it. We had been enamored of this idea theoretically, 
practically it gives every promise of ultimately meriting 



PLY FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING. 151 

the pains and researches we bestowed upon it. * The reel 
upon the new rod is made inside the butt, so to speak, 
thus all annoyance of the line entwining around the reel 
is entirely avoided, f The general working of the imple- 
ment proves this to be a decided advantage over the old 
side-fixing system. 

The Line should be plaited of water-proof silk. The 
eight-plait water- proof fly lines have gradually, during 
the last forty years, superseded the old hair, as well as 
the hair and silk lines. As we have elsewhere stated, 
silk is the strongest textile, and, when duly protected 
from the action of the water, cannot be surpassed for 
surface fishing. The new Acme Line is a further im- 
provement on the above. It contains a fine strand or 
thread of annealed and specially prepared copper wire, 
either in the plaiting or in the centre of the line, the 
whole being carefully water-proofed. J The Acme is 
guaranteed to extend the rodster's powers considerably. 

The Reel should be of bronze, or brass, and the han- 
dle should be attached to a revolving plate, instead of a 

* The wire-centered re-enforced rod was made in America fifteen years 
ago. In 186S, Mr. Hyde, inventor of the " Hyde Clip " for fly-books, 
made two rods on this principle. The wood used was cedar, and a two- 
jointed rod was constructed with a small steel wire running through it 
from end to end. One of these rods is still in existence. About two 
years ago Dr. Rippard, of Westminster, Md., (since deceased) patented 
a rod of similar construction, and through a fishing-tackle house an 
effort was made to introduce them to the trade, but without success. 
Recently Mr. C. Bremaker gave a description in " The American Angler'' 
of a wire-centered rod of his own invention, and attested in strong 
terms to its qualities of strength and pliancy. From the above notes it 
will be seen that the invention (?) of Mr. Foster is not a new thing to 
American anglers, many of whom do not see any value in a rod re-en- 
forced on the wire-centered principle. 

fThe Hancock enclosed reel has been for some time on the'American 
market, and, notwithstanding the merit of the principle, it has fallen 
flat ; owing mainly, I judge, from its weight and clumsiness. 

% The Acme Line has not been introduced in this country. 



152 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

miniature windlass. This again is an improvement upon 
old-style abominations. Who has not experienced annoy- 
ance and loss from the entanglement of the line around 
the fancifully turned winch handle, just at some critical 
moment when line was imperatively wanted? And who 
can measure the amount of loss this improvement alone, 
when generally adopted, will prevent? 

Multiplying reels are now discarded in favor of a plain 
check reel without surplus and complicated cog wheels 
to clog and get out of order. The new reel, shown upon 
the new fly rod, is an ordinary reel put upon the butt in 
the centre, instead of at the side of the rod butt. These 
may be attached to any rod, when the socket is of a fit- 
ting diameter. A small screw or rivet will secure it 
permanently, or it may be temporarily screwed and used 
upon it, as well as the handy side-fitting reels, and can 
be put on any rod. 

Throwing the Fly, contrasted with other branches 
of the angling art, has been little written upon, and see- 
ing that this is the chief obstacle in the path of the 
beginner, and also the most important acquirement of 
the proficient practitioner, we think the omission a serious 
one. To this subject we have devoted much attention, 
particularly in the construction of new and improved 
implements for its more ready attainment and practice. 
It is a well established axiom that in skillful casting lies 
the chief condition of success. " He can throw a good 
line," is equivalent to asserting the proficiency of a rod- 
ster, whether he be fly, mid-water, or bottom fisher. 

The ordinary routine cast is the first to be practised 
and acquired by the tyro. This is accomplished by bring- 
ing round the rod so as to describe a half circle from 
over the left shoulder, and delivering it directly over the 
right, the action emanating from the wrist and elbow 
only. It is capital practice for the young student to cast 



FLY FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING. 153 

upon a lawn or any closely-cut turf. Line to the length 
of the rod should first be delivered efficiently and neatly, 
when a hat should be placed as the receptacle of the fly; 
after the distances have been lengthened at intervals a 
tumbler may be substituted, and finally a small wine 
glass. When these different exercises have been success- 
fully accomplished, with a fair length of line, the rodster 
may safely try his hand upon the bosom of the wateiy 
element. Lightness and. precision follow practice and 
experience. The exercise of casting into a floating wal- 
nut shell is a feat, the accomplishment of which, at a 
distance of not less than a dozen yards, betokens a fair 
degree of proficiency and precision in casting.* 

In fly-fishing the ever changing geological bearings, 
the varying meteorological influences, the position of 
trees and other impediments, necessitate a constant 
change of tactics in order to reach the feeding fish, who, 
as they become more schooled, take up the most inacces- 
sible and secluded positions. Although some streams are 
comparatively narrow, it is not always incumbent upon, 
or advisable for the fisherman to take up his stand upon 
the verge of the water. "To fish fine and far off," as 
Cotton, the father of all fly-fishers expresses it, is infi- 
nitely better whenever practicable. Broken water should 
be chosen by the novice to commence upon, as while fish 
are extracted by him from the rapids, and purling 
streams, etc., the slower running and still waters may 
prove beyond his attainments. 

After precision and lightness of execution are attained, 
the casting distance should next be extended, and upon 
this point we may briefly say that more depends upon 
the line and rod than, generally speaking, upon the rod- 
ster. With an unusually light and stiff rod it is often a 

* "Accuracy and delicacy " are awarded first place by English fly-cast- 
ers; "distance" second. This fact should be borne in mind by the 
future managers of American Casting Tournaments. 



lo4 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

matter of great difficulty to get out properly a few odd 
yards over double the rod's length. The same result 
ensues when the reverse is the case, with a very pliable 
tool fitted with a stout heavy line. The rod in this case 
is in peril of parting in the middle, or ''breaking its 
back" so to speak, whilst the line, if unreeled to any 
extent, will constantly be in a state of entanglement. 
A great deal depends upon getting accustomed to the 
particular "swing" of the rod, as when this is the case 
all other implements are generally rejected in favor of 
"one like the last." Hence it is that so great a diversity 
exists, even amongst the oldest and best hands, upon 
every well frequented water. Another consideration is 
the strength of the muscles. This has so important a 
bearing on the wielding of the rod, that it is yearly more 
and more taken into account by the gradual adoption of 
shorter and lighter rods. As we have previously stated, 
we have always paid considerable attention to the intro- 
duction of suitable appliances for casting, and that more 
especially upon fine and clear waters. The great diffi- 
culty experienced by young fly-fishers in acquiring the 
ability of getting out a good line, we have attempted to 
remedy by the invention of an entirely new line, which, 
from its peculiar construction, combines weight and 
strength with excessive fineness. We allude to the now 
well-know " Acme " fly-line, which, since its introduc- 
tion, has given such general satisfaction that the practi- 
cal results now manifest warrant the conclusion that by 
the removal of the main stumbling block in the begin- 
ner's path, namely, the difficulty of a good delivery in 
casting, a great and important desideratum has been 
attained. From the testimony made public through the 
medium of the press, it has been proved that the throw- 
ing powers of both tyro and proficient have been aug- 
mented considerably by its use. We allude in detail to 
its construction, etc., elsewhere. All that is needful to 



FLY FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING. 155 

be observed here is that through the medium of the 
" Acme Wire-line " the novice may with a few hours' 
practice, cast as effectually and efficiently as he might by 
the practice of as many months with the old style lines.* 
With reference to the degree of skill and proficiency in 
the delivery of the fly, the talent of the oldest and best 
fly-fishers varies. The real adept will adapt himself to 
surrounding circumstances, casting over intervening 
boughs and bushes, now over an impending rock or 
boulder, or around some partially submerged substance 
in midstream, or jutting portions of the river's bank, 
without regard to any orthodox principle or rule. 

In short, a thorough command of the rod and line is 
as essential and important as the wielding of the whip in 
the case of a tandem or four-in-hand drive. We are 
reminded by this analogy that the most skillful cast we 
ever knew wielded the whip: we refer to the famous 
Eoyal coachman, Tom Bosworth : Old Tom had, in the 
early part of his life, driven three British Sovereigns, 
viz. — the Fourth George, the Fourth William, and finally, 
for a lengthened period, Her Majesty Queen Victoria. As 
a successful fisherman, Old Tom, when known to the 
writer, was unsurpassed. He would often fish in the 
wake of several rodsters, whose energy would exceed 
their skill, and would extract not infrequently three 
times their weight of fish, by skillfully and carefully 
casting over the awkward and most unlikely looking 

* I have carefully abstained from critical notes, as an indulgence in 
them would have greatly encroached upon the space allotted me, but I 
cannot pass by the claim of merit made for this new copper-threaded 
line, without expressing my fear that the laudatory paragraphs are 
simply advertising mediums used to place a profitable "tack" upon the 
market. I do not doubt that long casts may be made with it — a 
clothes line impelled by a sinewy arm would doubtless show a marvel- 
lous reach — but the delicate delivery of the feathers, which, now and 
then, on a passing breath of wind, will flutter as they fall, would be 
sadly demoralized by the drag of this metallic re-enforcement of a reel 
line. 



156 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER, 

spots, Avhich the majority of anglers would rarely dream 
of trying. A favorite freak of his with the whip was to 
take the pipe from the teeth of a passing pedestrian by a 
carefully calculated whirl of the lash, and this aptitude 
was as remarkably exemplified, for a limited distance, in 
his use of the rod. Bos worth originated the Coachman 
Fly, so much appreciated for night-fishing. 

The cast most useful in boisterous weather is the Welsh 
or Spey Throw. This is more commonly known to fly- 
fishers for salmon. The line is whisked off the water by 
an upward and backward movement of the rod, but is 
delivered forward again by a rapid lower whisk of the 
rod's upper portion, just as the last of the reel-line leaves 
the top of the water. This raises the line above all im- 
pediments and encumbrances in the shape of bushes, etc., 
fringing the river's bank. * Personally we make our 
longest cast by it. The usually-deemed impregnable po- 
sitions of the most choice and best fed fish are brought 
under fire by a resort to this cast, as indeed are all fish 
out of the reach of the usual run of rodsters. Some fly- 
fishers appear never to aspire to a greater distance than 
the width of the stream or brook most fished by them. 
For mountain or moorland stream, Scottish beck and 
burn, and AYelsh torrent, this may answer amply, but 
upon the comparatively wide and open water something 
further and more extensive is needed. Every fly-fisher 
should be able to cast at least twenty yards of reel-line. 
The importance of artistically getting out the lure is 

* The Welsh or Spey Throw is identical with the " underhand " or 
"rolling" cast, introduced by Mr. Pritchard at the New York Casting 
Tournament, with which he made a cast of ninety-one feet, by actual 
measurement. This unprecedented official record 1 can vouch for, 
which my presence in the boat of the judges enables me to do. The 
Foster Brothers who have compiled the notes of the author, their father, 
claim that he or they have thrown, with a Bingle handed fly rod and the 
Acme line, ninety-seveu-and-a-half feet. This cast unfortunately for 
its value of record, is not official. 



FLY FISHING FOE TKOUT AND GRAYLING. 15? 

fully recognized in districts where the natural surround- 
ings render it a matter of vital importance, but as a gen- 
eral thing it is a point not so well practised or understood 
as could be wished. 

Striking requires a keen eye, and a quick wrist-effect 
to a greater extent than is easy to be conceived by the 
tyro. A really accomplished fly-fisher is not so frequent- 
ly heard to complain of the fish rising short. A dilatory 
rodster, whenever the fish prove too quick by rejecting 
the steel-hearted lure, after giving him the customary 
"pluck," falls back upon the old and convenient excuses, 
the tendency of which is to charge the effect of his own 
shortcomings to the fish. Many theories are expounded 
in reference to the matter of striking. Some anglers re- 
commend an instantaneous "knock," others advise a 
momentary pause after the lure has been closed upon as 
being the correct thing, and some affirm that, owing to 
the difficulty of acquiring the right "knack" of driving 
home the delicate fly-hook, far more fish are lost by an 
unnecessarily heavy and spirited motion of the rod in a 
moment of excitement than if striking were not adopted 
at all. The late Mr. James Ogden, an old friend of ours, 
never let slip an opportunity of declaiming against random 
striking, always affirming that young and inexperienced an- 
glers lose the major portion of the fish they raise through 
awkwardness in this matter. " I have " — says he, in the 
columns of a leading sporting journal — ' ' in the course of 
my experience seen some of the best rods and tackle 
broken by this means, during a momentary excitement. 
I strongly recommend young fishermen not to strike at 
all." We can fully endorse this statement ; but to be 
more explicit, although it may be advisable for the youth- 
ful aspirant to avoid needless disaster, it is certainly ad- 
visable that he should acquire the right and ready 
"knack" of hooking- his rise in an effective and skillful 



158 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLEK. 

manner. The result of our experience upon this subject 
is as follows: — 

First : — It is an exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, 
thing to successfully hook a fish that has risen at the 
end of sixteen to eighteen yards of line, in the event of 
his not hooking himself, as the impetus given to the line 
through the medium of the rod on the appearance of a 
rise, reaches the scene of action too late to be of any 
utility. As a matter of course, when the feeding fish are 
near at hand, and the line is taut and straight, a small 
jerk from the wrist will have full chance of being effec- 
tual, and in this case the single moment's grace may be 
granted with safety in still water, as the trout are, gen- 
erally speaking, more leisurely in their movements. 
It is essential that the details appended should be 
thoroughly mastered in order to attain proficiency. Our 
own private plan, after the delivery of the fly in the ex- 
tending circle of the last rise, is to look out for the 
gleaming side of the fish as it rises, in order to get which 
the eye should be centred within the circle, but some 
little distance nearer the rodster. "When this habit is 
contracted, as it easily is with practice, wonderful accu- 
racy will be attained in efficient striking, even at the 
longest distances.* 

Second: — The action and amount of force required to 
hook the fish, are an intricate matter to deal with definite- 
ly, as so much depends upon the bearings of the situa- 
tion. That small fish require gentle usage, whilst com- 
paratively large ones necessarily require more impulsive 
treatment, is an aphorism well known to all : but that 
the rodster. should be cognizant to a nicety of the weight- 
sustaining power of the fine tackle, and should also be 
able to calculate accurately the probable result of a saii- 

* When fishing down stream on our mountain trout waters, the fish, 
nine times in ten, hook themselves ; at least such has been my own ex- 
perience. 



FLY FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING. 159 

guine stroke of the hook upon the hard and bony part; 
or, upon the other hand, on the soft and impressible 
portion of the fish's body, is altogether another thing. 
Beyond this an accurate estimate of the elasticity of the 
line, etc., should be possessed, and the striking motion 
accelerated or modified accordingly.* The action requi- 
site is a short, quick, wrist-motion, commenced sharply, 
but ended almost instantly and abruptly, like a quick 
movement of the hand in bringing a foil in fencing from 
tierce to carte. The hand holding the rod is turned up- 
wards and backwards, whilst the arm is stationary when 
a short line is out, the movement being lengthened when 
the intervening line is either long or loose. One of the 
greatest charms of fly-fishing lies undoubtedly in the 
comparative absence of routine and sameness. The plier 
of the rod must adapt himself to ever-changing circum- 
stances. It is a curious thing, and one that we have 
often been puzzled to account for satisfactorily, that it so 
frequently happens that precisely as the first trout is 
hooked, so are all subsequent captures throughout the 
day. 

This fact first forcibly impressed us many years since. 
We were fishing in company with Mr. Eamsbottom, of 
Clitheroe, Lancashire, who wished to try salmon roe, f 
as a bait for trout upon the Dove, suitable tackle for 
which had been baited by our friend for our personal use, 
we being then uninitiated in the mystic "roe" fishing. 
Before rod No. 2 was equipped for action we had hooked 
a fish, which was ultimately landed. The hook proved 
to be imbedded in the tongue, a somewhat unusual thing, 



* The autbor, to my surprise, fails to note the relative merits of rods 
in this question of when to strike, viz: a "whippy" rod, which is slow 
in action, and a stiff, though pliant, rod which responds quickly to the 
wrist-turn. 

t The use of roe for bait is now prohibited by the law of the realm. 



160 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

as we then remarked. " Every fish we take this day will 
be hooked similarly," coolly prognosticated our friend. 
At the time we confess to having been rather sceptical 
as to the likelihood of this proving accurate, but the 
result verified the prediction, for every fish that fell to 
our steel upon that occasion was firmly hooked in the 
tongue. Had the hold of the hook been slight in the 
first instance, say near the external bordering of the 
mouth, we were assured that our take would have been 
diminished, as this would have indicated that the fish 
were not in a feeding mood, and would therefore close 
upon the bait in a faint-hearted manner. The same is 
exemplified in fly-fishing, though perhaps not in a degree 
so conspicuously marked. The first fish indicates, as 
a rule, the temporary state of the whole of his fellows, 
whether hunger-bitten or eager, or fastidious and in- 
different. 

In striking a grayling, it behooves the rodster to be 
extremely careful, as not only is the fish excessively deli- 
cate and tender-skinned about the mouth, but the tackle, 
being finer, is less calculated to sustain any sudden 
wrench. This is not the case with larger quarry; a few 
weeks', or even days' lake fronting, will put out the hand 
for fine grayling fishing for some length of time. What 
Ave have always found a safe antidote in these cases is to 
carefully keep a taut line, and immediately a fisli rises to 
give a forward motion of the rod a foot or so. The 
downward action of the line thus eased, has the effect of 
sending in the little delicate hook without the most re- 
mote chance of danger. This may appear incredible in 
theory, but we can answer for its efficiency in practice. 
In rapid stream fishing a modification of the usual twist 
of the wrist may be given in the case of the grayling, 
where rapidity is the essential point; the twist here re- 
ferred to should describe a downward direction, as when 
this is done the first action of the rod tip is directly 



Plate 4. 




161 



FLY FISHING FOK TEOUT AXD GRAYLIXG. 163 

upwards and opposite. The extent of the momentum 
ranges according to the pliability of the rod. 

Playing a Fish comes next in order. The instant a 
fish is hooked the rod should be mounted at a proper 
angle, so as to feel the fish. The tactics to be employed 
vary in accordance with the lay of the water, as also with 
the conduct of the fish hooked, as when he descends im- 
mediately upon being struck, pulling heavily in the deep 
water, fighting hard for his hold, or neighboring shelter, 
it may be certainly inferred that he is safely hooked ; but 
when he exhibits a tendency to fight it out near the sur- 
face, occasionally attempting to clear the water altogether, 
he is, as a general rule, but lightly hooked, and if not 
carefully handled, will to a certainty be lost. The proper 
method of playing a fish in open water that is clear from 
weeds, sticks, etc., is to give him plenty of line, and play 
him until he is completely exhausted, cautiously keeping 
the rod on a regular bend; but in rapid and turbulent 
rivers playing a fish is certain to end, not only in the loss 
of the fish, but also of a portion of your tackle. 

There are scarcely any rivers free from portions of trees 
lying concealed in the deep waters, the small holes being 
well stocked with branches. In the shallow waters there 
are plenty of piles placed regularly a few yards apart, 
which are generally laid to prevent depredations by nets, 
and are seldom unfurnished with branches of trees, etc. 
When a fish is surprised by being hooked, his first move- 
ment is to dart upon the most convenient stick or pile, 
and with the rapidity of thought, entwine your tackle 
two or three times round it; then he makes good his 
escape. If he darts into a bed of weeds he stays there, 
and the line is hopelessly entwined, and you are left to 
liberate it as you may. jSTotwithstanding these obstruc- 
tions, the experienced fly-fisher seldom loses a single fish 
in the course of a day or two's fishing, though the gut 
tackle he uses is as fine as possible. When a fish is 



164 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

hooked in a stream, a moderate heavy bend should be 
immediately put upon the rod, the rodster keeping oppo- 
site his prey whenever the bank admits of it, and where 
this is impracticable line should be given and taken as 
occasion requires, and circumstances dictate. When the 
tackle is light and fine, and the quarry large, we com- 
monly resort to this expedient, which seldom indeed 
fails. We suddenly stay all show of opposition and head 
the fish rather than otherwise a little in the direction he 
makes for so desperately. Iu open water, where this is 
more practicable, ninety-nine times out of a hundred he 
becomes utterly confounded at the sudden change, and 
will make a faint effort at a new departure in a side di- 
rection and widely different angle, but quickly shows 
broadside, and yields. This may appear incredible in 
theory; we are, however, speaking from our own expe- 
rience, and can vouch for its practical result. AVhenever 
a fish is safely hooked it is, as a rule, the fisher's own 
fault if he be ultimately lost. Personally, we never 
pass a feeding fish because of his locating in what is 
usually deemed an " awkward spot." "What's the use 
of trying for that fish?" queries a passing rodster. "It 
would be impossible to land him were you to get hold." 

It has always been our policy to get hold first, as a 
preliminary ceremony, which done, the landing question 
is an after consideration. The notion of the main mass 
of anglers would appear to be, that if an unusually cun- 
ning fish takes up an impregnable looking position he is 
to be religiously left unassailed. "Breakers ahead" 
seem to be scented by the over-cautious pliers of the rod, 
when the chances of conquest are really " as even " as in 
less dangerous localities; and even supposing this were 
not so, the greater the difficulty the more exciting the 
sport, and the keener the pleasure. There is no necessity 
for lugging out instanter a hooked fish. In these cir- 
cumstances a short line and a sturdy pliant rod will avert 



FLY FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING. 165 

endless disaster, and by holding on like grim death at 
one end of the line, whilst the terrified fish holds on in a 
similar style at the other, the yery largest and heaviest 
fish are to be generally exhausted, and that with small 
risk of failure. 

Amongst the precepts to be impressed upon the mind 
of the novice are the following: Never play a fish 
against a stream,* as by that means an additional weight 
is thrown upon the line and tackle, which in all cases is 
particularly undesirable, as in the event of the tackle 
holding to its tether, there is danger of the fish being 
forcibly torn away from the hook. A small fish drawn 
against the stream, strains the tackle inconceivably. 
Whenever a fish makes for weeds, roots, or submerged 
timber at the rodster's side of the river, do not potter 
with the reel, but haul in the line by the left hand, 
allowing it to fall at the feet, f The height of absurdity 
to the mind of the writer is the sight of a stalwart fisher- 
man comfortably winding away at the miniature wind- 
lass, in an endeavor to hoist a hooked fish that has 
secreted himself amongst roots, sunken sticks, piles, or 
other mischief, as though, seeing he had been observed 
to go in, there was not the least ground for doubts as to 
his being speedily got out again. Wherever weeds are most 
prevalent in a trout stream, there the best fish congre- 
gate. Like pike, they love to secrete themselves in the 
green shades of aquatic vegetation, from whence they 
can dart upon their unexpecting prey. Whenever sur- . 
face food is sufficiently tempting, they leave their cover, 
generally rising upon the less frequented side of the 
water, where they have still the full benefit of the weed 
beds which intervene between them and their would-be 



* Most excellent adyice, but difficult to follow, when fishing down 
stream. 

tThe author refers to bank fishing with stalwart tackle. 



166 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

captors. It is often most tantalizing to lose one fish 
after another in a vain attempt to keep them from their 
weedy retreat; the position of this between the rodster 
and their fish, coupled with the circumstance of a long 
line being necessary to reach the rising fish, gives the 
latter every chance of escape, which, in fact, amply ac- 
counts for the presence of the best and finest fish in such 
quarters. In these cases an exceptional course of pro- 
cedure may without complication be resorted to. 

Immediately a fish is hooked, line and rod must be 
held in readiness for the first dash of the fish to the 
weeds. The interval, as a rule, is not long, as the 
moment they feel the hook's points, and recover from 
their consternation, instinct prompts them to make for 
the friendly shelter of the weeds, which, if entered, the 
chances are the fisher loses both fish and flies, with a 
portion of gut lash to boot. To avert this the line must 
be hauled in as rapidly as possible by the left and disen- 
gaged hand, whilst the rod's point must be brought 
back at right angles from the water, should the fish per- 
mit it. As a general rule, upon all moderately large 
streams these combined tactics have the effect of bring- 
ing up the fish, before the right angle is described, as in 
the case of a rod twelve feet long for example, the line is 
shortened by twenty-four feet. When the head of the 
fish is thus brought to the surface he must be assiduously 
held there, line being gradually and carefully taken in as 
he flounders over the weed beds. A freshly hooked fish 
will be found to force a passage by the stern or tail 
action, when firmly held by the head, infinitely better 
than the rodster unaided, in the case of an exhausted 
fish, could do it for him. 

We well recollect once fishing upon the Wye (Derby- 
shire), at Bakewell, when the main incident of the day 
had a direct bearing upon the subject now before us, and 
may serve as an illustration of what we have endeavored 



FLY FISHING FOE TKOUT AND GRAYLING. 167 

to point out. It was about the middle of April, the 
morning clear and keen, the night preceding had been 
dry and frosty. Before noon myriads of flies were out, 
whirling in ceaseless activity in the warm rays of the 
sun. We had been casting in a pre-occupied sort of way 
up to this time, occasionally creeling a small fish, and 
now and then imparting some little practical hint to a 
companion under our tuition. Now that the flies were 
numerous, the fish turned out to feed, and our lethargy 
was shaken off in the anticipation of a consequent change. 
During the half hour ensuing, we had experienced ex- 
ceptionally good sport, and whilst thus busily engaged 
the old keeper came down stream, opened conversation 
upon fish, fishing, etc., and seemed in no hurry to de- 
prive us of the benefit of his attendance. 

"Where does the best of your fish lie, keeper?" we 
inquired after a time. 

"Oh, up by the bridge yonder, there's as nice a lot o' 
fish there as anywhere i' th' river." 

"How far is it up stream from here?" queries our 
companion. 

" Better than two miles, sir; you can do it in twenty 
minutes or thereabouts." 

Having no special desire to test the accuracy of this 
statement, we ultimately agreed to fish up. After the 
lapse of about an hour or so, we arrived upon the spot 
indicated, in company with the keeper. Here, for about 
a stone's throw from the bridge, were dense masses of 
weeds, through which the water passed in narrow chan- 
nels. The position was not favorable, there being in the 
immediate background a display of evergreen shrubs, 
etc., which looked ill for the safety of the tackle. 
"Well, here we are at last," exclaims our pupil. 

" Yes, gentlemen," put in the old man, "there's any 
amount o' fish in, but plague take um, nobody can get 
um out; the best fisherman we have canner manage um." 



168 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLER. 

"Ah! how do you account for that?"' we inquired. 

" Oh, them weeds bother um; they loses the fish and 
tackle an' all; " and after delivering himself of this grati- 
fying reflection, the old keeper calmly inserted his pipe 
between his teeth, and his hands in the pockets of his 
breeches, as a preliminary to seeing the fun. At the 
secoud or third cast we hooked a fish, and by a strict and 
prompt application of the tactics previously described, 
the fish wriggled through the breakers in a style thor- 
oughly earnest and effective. Once clear of the weeds 
we relaxed the pressure upon the rod, playing the fish at 
the extremity of a short line until exhausted. 

"You've been very lucky with this un, sir." 

"We shall be equally as lucky you will find with the 
next," was our reply. At the very next cast the game 
was repeated, with the same result, nor did we desist 
until we had sufficiently punished the cunning old fox, 
by an extract sufficient to cram both creels with the lazy 
mousters, whose presence near the bridge we knew to be 
the keepers pride. 

Laxdixg. — In trout fishing the landing-net should in- 
variably be included in the necessary apparatus.* The 
tackle is never constructed with a view to extract fish 
bodily out of their element, moreover it is anything but 



* This matter of landing-nets recalls to mind a novel accident when 
fishing some years ago on Tim Grey's Run in Lycoming Co., Pa. After 
walking some miles up the run. which at the time was veiy full and 
rapid, I entered the stream to find, on killing my first fish, that my 
landing-net was missing. Like all other earnest trouters I was not dis- 
mayed, and soon improvised a net out of my rather stiff-brimmed fishing 
hat. How awkwardly I used it must be blushingly untold, but the last 
fish, a good stout fellow with muscles of iron, that it was used upon, 
gave a flirt out of it, and at the same moment an extra whirl of the 
down pouring waters flirted the improvised net out of my hand, and 
from that hour I have never seen ray Derby. It went spinning and dip- 
ping down the stream which was bank hi<ih and in full vigor of current. 
I continued to fish, hatless, for hours, landing my victims on the shore 
whenever an apt spot appeared. 



FLY FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING. 169 

sportsman-like to attempt it. When it is desired to net 
a fish, the usual rule is to head the capture to the nearest 
available place if it should be impracticable where hooked; 
and in all cases the net should be the medium by which 
the quarry is conveyed to land. It may appear a very 
simple matter to the unpractical mind to net an already 
hooked fish, but anglers of experience know well, too 
well, perhaps, that indiscretion and undue haste in land- 
ing, or even presenting the net to a supposed exhausted 
fish will cause him to make yet another plunge, when 
least expected, for life and liberty. We always use the 
net with our disengaged hand, holding it edgeways, part- 
ly to enter the water readily, so as to get beneath the 
fish, and partly to meet the fish, which is so brought 
round as to enter the nee forcibly. Bungling aid we have 
always found worse than no assistance ; and when the 
practice of netting one's own fish is acquired we feel sure 
anglers generally will find it much more advantageous 
and satisfactory. Nothing is more common than for an 
awkward servant or attendant to hit the quarry by pok- 
ing at him with the sharp rim of the net, instead of 
placing it under as he is brought near, thus knocking the 
fish off the hook, if not otherwise breaking the tackle. 
Who has not some painful remembrance of some deplor- 
able loss of this kind ? For our own part we have had 
quite sufficient lessons, not in trout alone, but in salmon 
and pike-fishmg, to cause us to refrain from trusting our 
net to any individual not thoroughly acquainted with the 
use and handling of it. 

Grayling especially require delicate handling when 
about to be netted, for should the rod be unconsciously 
elevated, so as to cause the weight of the fish to rest upon 
the hook and tackle, the fish is in great danger of being 
lost by the hook breaking away under the strain. Fish 
should not be pulled even in part out of the water whilst 
the net is placed under them, as this always causes danger 



3 70 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

of breakage, from the cause stated. The tail end of the 
fish, particularly of a large one, is to be inserted first in 
the net, except in special cases, as when for instance, the 
quarry heads close by the rodster, up or down stream, 
when the net may be used as a receptacle for him to head 
into, when within reach. 

The best times to fish, the seasonable flies and other 
information for the fly-fisher, we give in the Monthly 
Xotes. "We now purpose dealing more generally with the 
subject of fly-fishing in its various bearings. Fishing in 
rapid streams requires tactics somewhat different from 
those suitable for ordinary smooth running river, or still- 
water fishing. In these no humoring actions are re- 
quired to be given to the fly. To draw against or even 
across stream in these circumstances is to extend to it an 
unnatural motion. The flies must be cast a few feet 
above the dimply indication of a rise, and then allowed 
to float over. This may be repeated several times before 
moving on, especially if casting over grayling, as these 
fish are given to take the proffered lure more often than 
not when passed over repeatedly. With regard to the 
vexed question of up or down-stream fishing, no strict 
rule need be observed; a continuous resort to either is not 
desirable. Adherents of the one deprecate the ever- 
recurring nuisance of the line becoming slack when cast 
up stream by the downward flow of water, thus lessening, 
after each delivery, the chances of a rise by the fly being 
brought again home to the feet. Upon the other side of 
the question we have arguments in plenty against down- 
stream fishing, the most important being the habitual 
position of the fish heading up-stream, and therefore in 
full ken of the operations instigated for his allurement.* 

Our method of fishing a strange stream is, after pros- 



*The proportion of "down stream " to "up stream" fishers in Amer- 
ican waters is probably one-hundred to or.e. 



FLY FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING. 171 

pecting the length to be operated upon the night or early 
morn previous, to commence at its lower end, and casting, 
as we have attempted to describe previously, according to 
the lay of the land and water and general surroundings, 
now across, or slanting upward, and occasionally, though 
rarely, downwards. Where -a continuous succession of 
stream and pool arc met with, each should be well and 
carefully fished. One of the best and most killing styles 
of still- water fishing with the fly is the sunk-fly system. 
This consists in drowning the flies, so to speak, so that 
they will readily, though gradually descend, and working 
them very gently by a very minute movement of the rod 
tip. The very finest gut line is essential for the success- 
ful practice of this mode. The same method may be 
applied to the deep slower running streams, with deadly 
effect, when the fish refuse to rise to the surface. The 
dry-fly system is, however, by far the most scientific and 
artistic way of alluring either trout or grayling, and well 
fished streams will yield more and heavier dishes of those 
fish to it than to any method or system of angling what- 
ever. At twilight, and in the "gloaming" of evening, 
as also in night fishing, it is advisable to cast across and 
rather down-stream, as the line cannot be kept so well 
under hand, the command over it being less according to 
the density of the gathering gloom. Sometimes the sunk- 
fly method is to be applied to the sharp running streams 
with signal success, as may also the dry-fly style to the 
quieter stills and pools. A change in this respect often 
proves advantageous, even upon well whipped waters, the 
educated inhabitants of which so soon fight shy of the 
persistently applied lures. Whenever one side of a river 
or stream is habitually well-lined with fishermen, the fish 
generally rise for the most part close to the opposite 
bank, in most cases close to the edge of the water. The 
plan to practice in these circumstances is to cast directly 
out upon the opposite bank, and allow the end to drop in 



172 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

a casual sort of way into the water, where it is generally 
seized instantly. 

Fly-fishing for grayling and trout are not altogether 
identical, as we have elsewhere shown. Both fish are fre- 
quently found, however, in the same water, and are to be 
taken with the same cast of flies. Finer tackle, as a rule, 
is required in the case of the former, as also smaller and 
brighter flies. In most trout streams of note grayling 
are found in profusion in their lower portion, where the 
water flows more serenely. Here they locate near the 
bottom, even when surface feeding; therefore, if the dry 
floating-fly is preferable in the case of the trout, it is 
doubly so in that of the grayling, which, though perhaps 
more expert as a fly-catcher habitually, rises a much 
greater distance to absorb it. We contend, therefore, 
that in the surface cast and draw method, the fish is 
scarcely allowed a chance to get within seizing distance. 
This once prevailing practice of trailing along the cast is 
now being discarded, and deservedly so. How it should 
have so long held sway we never could conceive. That 
fish are occasionally taken by it we know, and that they 
are more often abashed by it, we understand as being a 
perfectly rational result; but how the fisherman who trails 
his lines across, or slant ways over a stream, at so rapid a 
pace as to leave a trail similar to that of a passing rat or 
water-hen, can imagine he is extending to the flies a 
natural and seductive action, wo confess is entirely beyond 
us. The whole of the land-flies appear naturally out of 
their clement upon the water, and are at the mercy of 
wind and wave, especially upon broken water; upon the 
stills they certainly have a little more power, so as to en- 
able them to essay a paddling excursion with a view to 
escape impending perils; but even here, either the float- 
ing, or the sunk, or drowned fly is found preferable to 
the insane system of trailing. The native water insects, 
as every fly-fisher worthy of the name knows, are quite 



FLY FISHIXG FOE TROUT AND GRAYLING. 173 

" at home " upon the element, floating down stream with 
their wings erect in the case of the ephemerals, like the 
minute craft upon a marine engraving. To meet the case 
of the fluttering land-flies, wingless or buzzy artificials 
answer amply. With the duns the wings must be both 
full and erect, or "cock-up" as it is sometimes designated, 
so as to admit of the fly being kept comparatively dry for 
some little time, when, becoming saturated, a few back- 
ward and forward whisks of the line and rod should be 
given before the delivery of the cast again. This is re- 
peated whenever the flies become saturated, as by so 
doing the trouble of repeatedly changing the lure is 
greatly lessened. 

Fly-fishing in brooks is practised much the same as in 
large and more open waters. Where the banks of narrow 
water are clear of encumbrances, the rodstsr should fish 
some distance away, so as to avoid needlessly exposing 
the person and purpose. The flies for brooks and tribu- 
taries of good "trouting" streams should be somewhat 
larger than those used for the main streams, to enable the 
fisherman to land his prey safely and quickly, as, where 
the water is turbulent and confined, the fish have greater 
chances of breaking away. Often the least leniency will 
be rewarded by an entanglement Avith sticks or roots of 
trees; playing in these circumstances is, therefore, not to 
be considered for an instant. The flies here alluded to 
are suitable for discolored waters generally, the hook, 
hackle, and wing being somewhat larger to withstand 
rough usage. The same order of land and water insects 
appear upon all running waters containing trout or gray- 
ling, no matter where situated; nevertheless, some ang- 
lers will persist in presenting upon all and every occasion, 
a wonderful fly or two which is said to kill upon that 
river only. For our part, we may state, that we never 
make any distinction in our list of flies, no matter what 
river we may cast over. We have often heard the phrase 



174 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLER. 

" Your flies are too large for this water," or — " Your flies 
are too small to kill here, sir." Upon some "Welsh and 
Scottish streams, the fly-fishers use unduly large flies, 
whilst upon clear spring waters, the local flies are exces- 
sively small, and in this case invariably hackled. Both 
large and small flies are objectionable when they do not 
correspond with the ''naturals" frequenting the water. 
We can testify from our own experience, that the flies, 
irrespective of locality, are the same as regards size upon 
every river in England, Wales, or Scotland; even those 
upon mountain lakes, situated in some cases at great 
elevation, are similar, in their season, both as regards size 
and color, to those upon low-lying rivers. 

Fancy flies, when used judiciously at the right time, 
may answer just as well for trout, and especially for gray- 
ling, as they do for salmon; indeed, the two last-named, 
have many characteristics in common; both display an 
effeminate appreciation of gaudy glitter and happy com- 
bination of colors, whilst the more circumspect and subtle 
trout often ignores the unnatural ''artificials," though 
presented temptingly. The most important of nonde- 
script ''artificials" are, beyond doubt, the bumble tribes. 
These in their various shades seldom fail to kill, when no 
rising of naturals has occurred during the day, or when 
there is a miscellaneous host of " oddlings " about the 
water, under which latter circumstances the palmered 
"artificials" are undoubtedly taken for some one of the 
flies about. Another usef ul •" child of fancy" is the flat 
gold-bodied whistler fly. This is hackled with red-brown 
pigeon's breast feather, or with that of the whistling 
plover, from which it takes its name. This fly is really 
valuable for discolored, and even thick rising water. 
Many are the times we have, instead of leaving the 
rapidly-rising river in disgust, killed a good dish of fish 
through its sole agency. Upon the Wharf e, upon a 
late occasion, we took trout sufficient to fill our creel some 



FLY FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING. 175 

five times, had they been all retained, whilst several an- 
glers who had repaired to the same length returned to the 
hotel, under the impression that the water was too thick 
for the worm. 

When the fish are basking, during the mid-day hours 
in the hot summer months, they are not always to be 
drawn to the surface by small flies. The red caterpillar, 
elsewhere described, we believe to be unsurpassed for 
trout and large grayling at mid-day; and when cast as a 
night-fly in the "gloaming" of evening. Browns and 
gaudily-dressed lake flies, too, when cast and played like 
a minnow, just below the surface of the water, are good. 
But the combination more suitable for this method is the 
dressing known as the "Alexandra fly." This is as large 
as a full-sized Sewin fly, the hook employed being a 
Limerick, the shank carefully wrapped with broad silver 
tinsel, to represent the body; the wings, if any, consist 
of a dozen strands or so of brown turkey feather; hackles, 
blue feathers from the peacock's neck. This fly was orig- 
inally introduced by Dr. Hobbs, some fifteen years ago. 
Upon well- wooded, swift-running waters it is most useful; 
the line is allowed to run out with the current, being then 
drawn back up-stream by a series of short jerks that serve 
to open and shut the fibres of the hackle, thus exposing 
the white body only at intervals, at measured distances. 
It is surprising how the fish will follow and take this fly 
when in the "running" mood.* It is, most certainly, 
far superior to the minnow, from the fly-fisher's point of 
view. 

In angling there are various influences that affect the 
fish, and which are as yet but little understood. Not 
only are their habits and movements most important to 
the angler, but, for the better pursuit of sport, meteoro- 
logical changes and influences should also be noted by the 

* They doubtless mistake it for a big bug making frantic efforts to 
leave the water. 



176 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

observant student. To some it is not known that the 
temperature of the water is most frequently responsible 
forbad "taking" days; Ave habitually carry a small in- 
strument, by no means generally used by fishermen, we 
refer to a small pocket thermometer. This proves most 
useful in ascertaining the temperature of the water, either 
at tho surface or at the bottom. By the use of such an 
instrument the observant angler soon learns that when 
the water is of unusually low temperature, the moving 
fish will be rare, notwithstanding the favorable atmos- 
pheric temperature. When the air is cold and the water 
proves at a higher degree than common, the fish will be 
certain to be more or less on the feed; but when both 
atmosphere and water are genial, every description of fish 
will be fouud to be upon the "forage" for prey, if not 
satiated by some proper food supply. The observant 
fisherman upon any particular water soon finds out much 
more to guide him in his choice of fishing. The water 
of different rivers and streams, as a matter of course, 
varies, and the fisher in any particular water should ascer- 
tain precisely, not only the prevailing temperature of the 
water, but that in which the fish feed most eagerly, as 
also when it is useless trying to tempt them to "rise" or 
"run." The old nostrums anent weather wisdom are 
mainly inaccuracies. In the coldest eastern or north- 
eastern wind we have killed repeatedly many a fine basket 
of fish, owing to the temperature of the water being high 
and unusually genial from some cause or other. 

The ancient belief in the stoppage of sport during a 
thunder-storm is not strictly true. Some little time be- 
fore the breaking of the storm atmospheric influence 
appears to act detrimentally, almost invariably through 
the warmer months, but during the storm itself the fish 
will rise more often than not, most eagerly at the numer- 
ous insects drowned during the down-pour, and this too, 
whilst the electric fluid gleams and the thunder roars 



FLY FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING. 177 

immediately overhead, all without visible effect upon the 
fish. As regards the fisherman we fear the same obser- 
vations do not apply with equal truth. The nearest 
sycamore tree or honeysuckle hedge is sought, and the 
angler is seldom to be convinced, save by practical argu- 
ments, that the time for taking fish is while the rain 
falls, just as the time for making hay is while the sun 
shines, as the old adage has it. 

Between the tyro and the proficient grayling fisher 
there exists a wider gulf than is the case with the ex- 
perienced and inexperienced in any other branch in the 
whole art of fishing. Practical skill and general artistic 
bearing are more fully exemplified in fishing for grayling, 
than for trout and salmon, whilst upon the same ground 
the unskilled efforts of the bungler stand at a yet more 
glaring contrast. Mark the long sweeping casts of the 
adept across and up-stream, ever true to the circulating 
eddy, the centre of which forms the "bull's-eye" at 
which to aim. See the gradually whirled line, how 
lightly and efficiently it is cast, the obstructive force of 
the air and the flowing water being all taken into con- 
sideration when that measured swing is given. Observe 
the varying tactics resorted to when called for in varying 
circumstances, and yet above all the efficient mode of 
handling the hooked fish while it makes determined 
efforts to free itself from the tiny thread so recently 
ignored, and to avoid the necessity of a premature move to 
other parts of the stream through undue disturbance of 
the water. Upon the other hand the inexj)erienced gray- 
ling fisher's awkwardly managed line is planted splash- 
ingly upon the bosom of some tranquil pool or still deep 
— the collar, dancing and dangling in its aerial flight, 
becoming hopelessly entangled (as it inevitably must) 
the instant it nears the water, and causing a break 
larger than the bold rise of a heavy fish. All these signs 
make the presence of their owner known and appreci- 



178 THE SCIENTIFIC AjSTGLEE. 

ated, both upon the banks and beneath the surface of 
the water. 

Fly-fishing at twilight and afterwards is prohibited, 
and justly so, in some districts. The deadly nature of 
the practice presents no recommendations to the true 
sportsman; . nevertheless, where the water is over- run 
with excessively large fish, whose acquired wariness pro- 
hibits them from surface feeding during the day, they 
may with perfect honesty of purpose be legitimately 
extracted at such times as they may deign to dine. The 
cast for night fishing should not exceed two yards, the 
gut being of medium thickness, though round and with- 
out flaw or blemish. One fly is ample to fish with, 
though upon a moonlight night, the usual trio may be 
used with the three-yards lash. When the evening 
shades gather and deepen, the fish will be found to rise 
more upon the verge of the shadow thrown upon the 
water by high banks, or foliage situate near. We do not 
commend the use of salmon casts and swivelled monster 
moths, etc. This may be all very well in peculiar sur- 
roundings, when the night is densely dark and the water 
well lined with sticks and piles, but under these circum- 
stances we must confess to seeing sport only in name. 
In point of sport and true diversion, there is certainly 
more in the gloaming of evening when the moonbeams 
"silver the landscape o'er," rendering the surrounding 
objects almost as bright as when under the orb of day. 
Then may the fly-fisher consciently ply his art upon fair 
vantage ground and with a clear conscience. 

The flies to be used are the largest and heaviest of the 
day flies, such as the large browns, cinnamon, and stone 
flies. The first-named form admirable copies of the 
small grass moths, so prevalent late in the summer's 
evening. The usual night lures, such as the large mollis 
of the customary shades, the coachman and the cater- 
pillar, may be used with success in the way alluded to. 



FLY FISHING FOR TROUT AND GRAYLING. 179 

"With regard to the best size of moths to use, we do not 
advise them to be too heavy. It has become the prac- 
tice recently upon some waters to use lures well-nigh as 
weighty as the American half -ounce.* The size should 
average that of a live May- fly. An artificial dressed by us 
to imitate the fluttering action of the moth when upon 
the water, is much used in the Midlands, since its recent 
introduction — we refer to the "Dun Cut." This dress- 
ing has proved itself to more than equal the usual repro- 
ductions of the moths. It is a double-hackled artificial, 
the feathers being dun and brown hen's breast feathers 
(usually used for wings), the outside feather being dun; 
body, drab fur ribbed with silver twist; hook, long 
shanked Limerick or Kendal — May-fly size. 

Before the subject of trout and grayling fishing (which 
has been dealt with more in detail elsewhere) is concluded, 
we feel it incumbent upon us to make some allusion to 
the Dove, upon whose banks resided the first writer upon 
this, the highest branch of the art piscatorial, in our land. 
This is classic ground to every follower of Walton. Here 
have assembled all noted fishermen since the days in 
which the common sire of us all trod its banks and 
wielded the rod; and they still come, though many a 
famous rod that was wOnt to whip these waters is laid 
away for ever. Every rock and pool seems to embue one 
with 

"Meek Walton's heavenly memory." 

The ancient and original fishing-house, too, standing 
as it does, scarcely impiajiejl by the ravages of time, 'Xr~ 
seems to impress the mind with familiar associations. 
It requires no great stretch of imagination to call up the 
venerable and benevolent features and stalwart form of 
the " Modern Patriarch Izaak," and his adopted son, 

* The author doubtless alludes to the large black bass flies sold in 
America, which are certainly heavy enough to kill a bass, if they should 
happen to strike it in or out of the water. 



180 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

discoursing pleasantly whilst making flies, or rigging up 
the tackle for the evening's rise. 

" Cheerful, sage, and mild, 

Walton's discourse was like the honey balm, 
Distilled along these waters wild. 

Smit with the love of angling he beguiled, 
With his adopted son the hours away, 

Whilst Cotton owned the fondness of a child 
For him, in whose glad company to sta} - , 
Had made the whole year pass like one sweet month of May." 

Yes, the structure and general appurtenances are still 
the same; time has dealt most kindly with the building; 
over the portal the immortal inscription, "Piscatoribus 
Sacrum," remains still unobliterated; every disciple of 
the rod may with veneration read 

" His title clear to enter here." 

The Dove is noted for its blue transparency, hence the 
name. Centuries since other waters were polluted in 
comparison with the crystal stream of the Dove. The 
renowned Cotton, the Minstrel of the Yale, thus sweetly 
sings — 

" Such streams Rome's Yellow Tiber cannot show; 
The Herian Tagus, or Ligurian Po, 
The Maese, the Danube, and the Rhine, 
Are puddle-water all compared to thine ; 
And Loire's pure streams yet too polluted are 
With thine much purer to compare ; 
The rapid Garonne and the winding Seine, 

Are both too mean, 

Beloved Dove, with thee 

To vie priority ; 

Tame and Isis, when conjoined submit, 

And lay their trophies at thy silver feet." 

About Beresford, the scenery through which the 
stream flows resembles much that of Dove-dale; Beres- 
ford-dale being a sort of miniature representation of it. 
In the first-named, the volume of water is, of course, 
greater, it being situate several miles lower-down stream. 
Trout and grayling are the only fish here found, with 



FLY FISHING FOE TROUT AND GRAYLING. 181 

the exception of a few eels. The trout predominate 
largely from Dove-dale up-stream; here the best efforts 
of the rodster are to be brought into play in order to 
achieve even moderate successs. The water contains a 
fair stock of fish, but for education and attainments, 
Dove trout, and especially Dove-dale trout, vie success- 
fully with those of the Wandle, Hitchen, Test, or any 
other stream wherever situate; and the adept upon the 
Dove may, with perfect safety, consider himself suffi- 
ciently accomplished to rank amongst the first fly-fishers 
of his day. 

"Oh, Dove, thou art so clear, so bright and sweet, 
Men's choicest lures "with scant approval meet ; 
Did not the beauteous Dale such charms reveal, 
The pilgrim rodster oft regret would feel. 
Romantic vale, renowned for varied scene, 
Sylvan abode, meet for a fairy queen ; 
Rare gems of nature deck the scenes around, 
With wooded heights the lofty rocks are crowned ; 
Cascades impetuous fall with arrow flight; 
Rainbows presented glisten in the light ; 
The waters, purling at the angler's feet, 
In crystal streams and sparkling eddies meet. 
Soft strains of music borne upon the breeze, 
Resound from warbling choirs, amidst the trees. 
Fair scenes, adieu. Alas ! charmed stream, farewell, 
Where speckled trout and grayling dwell." 

W. S. 



182 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLER. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

LIVE FLY AND BEETLE FISHING. 

Dibbing or dapmg with the natural fly is an easy art, 
and is, moreover, a very productive and, we may add, a 
very seductive one, when reasonably practised upon a 
densely wooded stream. It is often useful as a means of 
weeding out old fish, whose cannibal propensities go far 
to exterminate their own species, as well as their imme- 
diate neighbors and relatives. There is small scope for 
skill in the use of the live fly, as employed under the 
above circumstances, as the foliage lining the banks 
shields the rodster's person from view, whilst the strug- 
gling lure accomplishes the rest. The rod and line must 
necessarily be both short and stout for the general comfort 
of fishing. An ordinary fly rod with short top answers 
admirably for the purpose, whilst the three or four feet 
of gut bottom line should be strong, round, and clear, 
without a faulty place or blemish. Deplorable loss often 
ensues from carelessness in looking over the tackle before 
commencing operations. It needs ever to be remembered 
that the weakest place in a line, be it of what substance 
it may, decides its precise degree of strength throughout, 
as when the testing tim? arrives, the thing breaks at that 
point, despite its strength elsewhere. A flat or unduly 
thin place in gut should always be taken out before loss 
and damage are experienced from its presence. 

The systems of using the natural fly for the allurement 
of fish, in use at the present day. are three in number, 
winch may be described as follows — 1st. Throwing or 
casting in open water: 2d. Midwater fishing, or daping 
with the sunken fly: 3d. Surface fishing and dibbing. 
The first enumerated is fully dealt with in the Monthly 



LIVE FLY AND BEETLE FISHING. 183 

Notes. The method of procedure to be adopted in the 
case of the sunken fly varies but little from that of worm 
fishing without a float. The fly is attached to the hook 
between the wings, the bend of the hook to project to- 
wards the tail, and two small shots are fixed a foot or so 
above the hook. Thus equipped the angler carefully in- 
troduces the lure to the notice of the fish which lurk 
under roots or projecting banks, etc., always endeavoring 
to keep an eye upon the bait, as the moment to strike is 
when the fish has closed upon it, and leisurely turns 
away. By the moment's grace thus given, the rodster is 
enabled to hook his quarry in the corner of the mouth, 
which is always a desideratum in the case of large fish, 
trout especially, their mouth being excessively hard, 
gristly, or bony. The movements of a large trout are 
always leisurely, and as the bait is genuine no fear need 
be entertained as to the possibility of his rejecting it, 
during the moment's respite given. 

Surface Dibbing, as the name implies, consists in 
working in a natural way the live flies upon the top of 
the water. In order to do this effectually, the impaled 
fly is made to float and flutter by the action given to the 
line, occasionally settling upon the water for a brief in- 
terval. Just before twilight, on a summer's evening, 
this system of angling is very deadly, and more especially 
so on small brooks. Here the fish are then wide-awake, 
and upon the forage for moths, minnows, and other 
legitimate food which approaches within grabbing dis- 
tance; and any other larger insects prevalent that maybe 
placed before their notice are extremely likely to be ab- 
sorbed. The large white grass moths are capital lures 
for this purpose. The flies most in repute for daping 
and dibbmg purposes, are the May fly, stone and cinna- 
mon flies, the blue bottle, the alder and oak flies, as also 
the common house fly. The first of these is usually car- 
ried in a small basket, specially made for the purpose, 



184 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLER. 

which is strung upon the creel strap. The remainder, 
being flat-winged flies, may be kept in a glass bottle, the 
cork having a small, gradually widening nick made in 
one side, to allow the passage of one fly only when par- 
tially, drawn, as also to admit air. A fly will always 
frequent the opening, no matter how quickly he may 
be extracted. The size of the hook usually employed is 
a No. 7 Kendal, with shortened shank. Sometimes two 
flies are placed upon the hook at once, with the smaller 
of them next the point. This is often found to answer, 
as the hooks are more obscured and the bait more sig- 
nificant and tempting to a large fish. Always fish over 
the eddy of a rise, and whenever the bank of wood of 
any description admits, keep well back from the river 
side; even the still pools may be found productive. In 
this case the nearest bank must be fished first, afterwards 
the middle and opposite side, and then the open water. 
The instant the fish rises at your fly you must strike as 
in artificial fly fishing, and play as is usual in that branch, 
of the art. For this open dibbing, a full length of fly 
cast is necessary, and that too of fine substance. The 
artistic method of fly fishing with the blow-line, as re- 
ferred to in the Notes on the Months, is much practised 
in Scotland and Ireland, upon the lochs containing trout, 
more especially when the May fly is up. 

Beetles of every kind form admirable baits for trout, 
as also for chub, and other fish. These are to be had 
"artificial," and when a maggot or wasp-grub is fixed 
upon the hook, they are found quite as killing as the 
"naturals." Cockchafers, cockroaches, and dockers are 
all deemed acceptable to the hungering fish, during the 
season of low waters and scant food. 

"When cither daping or dibbing, care should be taken 
to keep a taut and straight line, as intervening slack line 
renders it a moral impossibility to handle the bait and 
strike effectually, more especially when angling through 



NOTES ON" THE MONTHS FOR FLY-FISHING. 185 

a small opening in the bushes bordering a brook. In 
small places, the small lady-cow (the fisherman's Maiiow 
Buzz or Coch-y-bondu) is used as a liye lure in fine water. 
These hardy little insects do not leave the hook so readily 
as the more slender and frail flies. A capital plan of 
using them is to fit up a fine four-yard gut collar, or 
lash, with four of the insects, three as droppers and one 
at the point, the former being attached to fine gut hooks 
(No. 8 or 9 Kendal), when they may be cast as "arti- 
ficials" when trout are shy; and when there is a scarcity 
of ephemeral and other water order of flies this method 
often proves extremely killing. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

NOTES ON THE MONTHS FOR FLY-FISHING.* 
FEBRUARY, f 

The angler, as a rule, commences to angle for trout 
and grayling upon St. David's Day, the first of March, 
when, according to the calendar, " fly-fishing begins ;" 

* This chapter is the longest and onS of the most interesting in the 
book; the reader will note, however, that for fishing on our native 
streams, but few, if any anglers subdivide their stock of flies into the 
so-called killing lures for each month of the season. Dark small flies 
for bright days, pellucid or shallow waters— bright big flies for dark 
days, deep or discolored waters— appear to answer the needs of the 
angler, and the erratic fancies of his quarry. A dozen or so of standard 
flies of approved qualities amply " fills the bill." The question of color, 
form, size, and number, will always be an open one, and withal a delight- 
ful theme of discussion anions: the enthusiasts of the art; albeit, it 
should be remembered that "uncle " Thad. Norris, the father of Ameri- 
can angling, pinned his faith to a few chosen feathers ; using, of the 
winged flies, only the Brown Hen and the Coachman, and of the hackles, 
only a brown, a black, and a ginger. 

t It will be noted that the season for trout commences in British wa- 
ters two months earlier than with us. 



186 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

but we would recommend the tyro to try his hand about 
the middle of February, when lie will be sure to effect 
captures that will give him a relish to follow the pursuit, 
and exhilarate him to become an adept in the "flying" 
art. We note that the majority of youthful beginners 
take their trial trip in July or August, flogging assid- 
uously when the sun shines powerfully, and leaving dis- 
pirited with their ill-success, just as the fish begin to 
feed at sunset. The angler should be at the water-side 
from eleven to three o'clock — it is little use starting 
earlier, as the fish do not rise freely except in the middle 
of the day. Slow-running streams and still deeps are 
the most likely places on which to cast. We recommend 
the red fly, the blue dun, or February flapper, and the 
ordinary rough bumble to make up the cast, as being the 
most likely trio for early spring-fishing. The last named 
is only a fancy fly, but is an excellent killer in spring and 
autumn. To the experienced fly-fisher, it is a well known 
fact that few flies rise to the surface of their liquid element 
while the river is impregnated with snow "broth." This 
cold stimulant is no inducement for the little insect to 
quit its sheath in the bed of the river, but when the 
genial influence exercised by the rays of the sun pierces 
into its retreat, then the small fly quits its abode, rises to 
the surface, spreads its wings, and commences life's 
voyage, which probably ere long is cut short by the ap- 
pearance of the 

" Pearl tipped snout 
Of the speckled trout." 

The Eed fly first makes its appearance in this month. 
Its wings and body are of an olive color, but after two or 
three sunny days its legs and body assume a russet-brown, 
anil as the weather becomes warmer its color changes 
until it attains a deep ruddy hue. The prevailing shade 
in March and April of both legs and body resembles that 
of a coffee bean, though slightly claret-colored towards 



NOTES ON THE MONTHS FOR FLY-FISHING. 187 

the tail. The Eed fly, we believe, is common to all 
waters containing trout or grayling. The Welsh anglers 
consider it one of the best flies that can be used, indeed, 
it is sometimes called the " Welsh fly." In some districts 
in this country its local appellation is " Old Jce," in 
others the "Early Spring Red," and the "Spring Brown," 
and another local name is the "March Brown." The 
Bed fly's wings lie nearly flat on its back, the wings of 
the March Brown are almost upright, after the manner 
of the duns and other ephemerals. Many a neatly folded 
packet finds its way into our hands, containing naturals 
for identification, and as the March Brown proper, like 
the May fly, does not frequent all waters, this fly, acting 
in a manner as a substitute, causes endless misconceptions; 
and vast numbers of the Red fly come to hand which are 
invariably mistaken for the March Brown. The Blue 
Dun, or February Flapper, so-called because of its flutter- 
ing on the water more than any other dun, is of a 
smoky-blue hue all over, and when once seen can never 
be mistaken. 

MARCH. 

The angler should be at the water-side from eleven to 
four o'clock. The fish not yet having recovered their 
full vigor after the winter season, are to be found on the 
slow running streams and still deeps. The Red fly, Blue 
and Cockwinged Duns, Cowdung fly, and March Brown, 
are the most abundant flies on the water, and therefore 
are the best to be used. A description of the Red fly has 
been given under February. For particulars of the Blue 
and Cockwinged Duns, see page 130. The Cowdung fly 
is a common insect, the appearance of which is well known 
to all. It is in boisterous weather plentiful on the water. 
This is a land fly, and is found in profusion on rich 
meadow land where cows have been pastured. These in- 
sects rise from the earth with the first days of spring. 



188 THE SCIEXTIFIC AXGLER. 

On cold windy days, or in a sharp wind succeeding a few 
hours of bright open weather, when the inclement season 
has terminated, these flies are carried by the wind upon 
the water, the surface of which being thus quickly be- 
sprinkled with struggling atoms of life, the attention of 
the hunger-bitten trout is speedily arrested, and under 
these circumstances they seldom fail to shake off their 
lethargy to feed freely upon them. It is the best fly that 
can be used early and late in the day through the whole 
of this month, and occasionally in April. 

The March Brown is a general favorite with both fish 
and fishermen throughout Britain. In Wales it is termed 
the Cob fly. In the northern counties of England it is 
known as the brown or dun drake ; but, though in differ- 
ent localities the name varies, the insect itself is charac- 
teristically the same everywhere. The wings are nearly 
erect, after the manner of all the duns, the color being a 
beautiful freckled brown, and the legs the same shade. 
The body varies, but is generally a decided rusty hue, 
with yellow ribs protruding, and it resembles the green 
drake or May fly more closely than any other species. It 
is two-thirds the size, and goes through similar changes. 
As the weather gets a little warmer these flies appear a 
shade smaller in size, and lighter iu color. This is called 
the Turkey Brown, though exactly the same ephemeral. 
It is often erroneously supposed to be the female March 
Brown. This large brown, with its metamorphosis, the 
Great Red Spinner, lasts until May, and even June, and 
appears again in August, but smaller still in size. In the 
Scotch Highlands it is used as a general fly throughout 
the summer, and is a capital killer. Many a weighty 
pannier have we had the pleasure of creeling through its 
agency, for when once really well on the water, which it 
annually is on most streams, better sport is not afforded 
by any fly. The Great Red Spinner referred to is an 
elegant fly, and is sometimes a good killer, but as in this 



NOTES OH THE MONTHS FOE FLY-FISHING. 189 

stage it lays the eggs that propagate its species, like all 
the other spinners, it is scarcely more than a film or 
shell, after having fulfilled its natural functions, and it 
is no matter of surprise that the lusty fresh browns are 
more appreciated by the fish. 

It is the last Sunday in March. Nature is again assum- 
ing her green garb, and the birds are joyously carolling 
their overflowing meed of earthly bliss at the return of 
ever welcome spring. Tempted by the promise thus held 
out of an enjoyable commune with nature, you, after the 
morning's devotions are over, indulge in a quiet stroll by 
the neighboring trout stream. After a time you observe 
what mayhap had previously escaped your notice, namely, 
that there is quite a number of up-winged '* browns" 
about. You approach for a nearer inspection. A glance 
at the water proves the fish to be equally curious. Dex- 
terously capturing a specimen in your hat, you pronounce 
it a March brown. The fish, too, seem to have made a 
similar discovery, as all the way down stream you are 
treated to a constant repetition of the sweetest sound in 
the whole range of music to the angler, "the plump 
little swish of a rising fish," and you console yourself 
with the reflection that, as the March brown is well on 
to-day there will be murder to-morrow. By ten the next 
morning you are therefore upon the scene of action. As 
the slanting rays of Old Sol penetrate the murky clouds 
the flies commence to rise from the bed of the river, 
sweeping in battalions up and down stream, or buoyantly 
breasting the miniature rippling waves. Having hastily 
put together your rod, and rigged up your cast with a 
trio of March browns, you approach the stream; first 
wetting your line by way of prelude, and carefully meas- 
uring your distance, you cast in the midst of the per- 
petuated eddies. "There!" you hook, almost at the 
same instant, two fish, one on the bob and the other on 
the stretcher, which immediately dash counter to each 



190 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLEK. 

other, smashing up your delicately fine cast. The lesson 
here experienced teaches that the extra-fine grayling lash 
of the previous autumn is not equally adapted for heavy 
trout. But lose no time. Quick! Look out something 
more substantial. Ah, to be sure! this looks more like 
it. Pull out the coils by drawing the gut slowly through 
your fingers. We must now "rig up" again with fairly 
substantial artificials; which done, we move on a little 
ahead. Now, very carefully by the foot of yonder old 
alder. There, splendid! You have him. Gently! Mind 
the weeds and hold the point of the rod well up. Be 
careful! He exhibits a strong desire to embrace that old 
stump. Ah! keep his head well up, and take in line 
with your left hand. Lookout! There is some spurt in 
him still; show him due courtesy by paying away line 
with due reserve nevertheless. Now he wearies, and lies 
athwart the glistening surface of the water, as pretty a 
contrast to its silvery ripples as can well be imagined. 
Here we are at last, with a splended one-and-a-half 
pounder, which ultimately proves but a type of a dozen 
or more that grace our basket at sundown. The only 
rivers of the north that the March brown does not fre- 
quent are the Tay and Tweed. Upon every mountain 
burn and moorland stream this fly is a standard killer. 
The rough bumble is also an excellent lure. 

APEIL. 

This is the best month in the year for fly fishing. The 
prdverbial showers which characterize the month have 
the double effect of drowning the flies, and stripping the 
water of its transparency; indeed, the more inclement 
the weather, the greater chance of sport. The flies are 
more sturdy than in the summer months, getting more 
delicate as the season advances. 

The flies recommended for last month will be found 
equally serviceable in this, especially if the season is 



NOTES ON THE MONTHS FOR FLY-FISHING. 191 

rather backward, the weather retarding the progress of 
the little insects in proportion to its severity. There are 
the Yellow Dun of April (two shades), Pale Blue Dun, 
Eed Spinner, Sand fly, Stone fly, and Fosters interme- 
diate. The Iron Blue Dun comes on in this month, but 
is much more numerous in the next, for which see de- 
scription. The Yellow Duns of April (two shades) and 
the Pale Blue Dun, being April specimens of the Olive 
Dun (ephemerals) are of great importance; indeed, I 
look upon this fly in its various stages as being the most 
useful to the angler through the whole season. This fly, 
after living three days, casts its coat, and then appears as 
the Red Spinner. These flies whirl in clouds a distance 
above the water, frequently alighting on the surface; 
every time they do so they deposit an egg, which, as we 
have observed elsewhere, produces duns of the olive fam- 
ily, ranging in shade from the blue dun to the pale 
evening white, according to the temperature of the water 
and weather, when the larva attains its maturity. The 
Red Spinner is a delicately transparent fly, the legs are 
fiery brown, the tail double the length of the dun's, the 
body a ruddy yellow. In consequence of the tails being 
long, it is necessary to put them on the artificials, though 
not requisite in the case of the duns. As the fish gener- 
ally rise at the tail-end of the fly we have found it detri- 
mental in hooking, especially when rabbit's whiskers are 
used, as is generally the case. "When we do attach the 
tails, we use three fibres of a large cock's hackle. To- 
wards evening is the best time to use these flies, as in the 
heat of the day they take refuge in the foliage of bushes 
and small trees on the banks of the stream, but at sun- 
set appear in great numbers. The duns are principally 
used at mid-day, the light April Dun, and Pale Blue 
Dun on light genial days, the Dark April Dun on dull 
cloudy days. It maybe as well to remark that, if the water 
be clear, with a bright sun, it will be useless to fish on 



192 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLEE. 

the still deeps and slow-running streams; but eddies, 
small holes, and rapid running streams, are the best 
places to fish. Should, however, a strong breeze dis- 
turb the surface of the water, the angler may pursue his 
sport on the smoother reaches. Foster's intermediate 
will be found very effective when duns are on the water. 
This is a copy of all the duns prior to their re-appearance 
as spinners. It is well known that fish invariably seize 
sickly or maimed insects, or small fry, etc., from the 
midst of their more lively companions. The Sand fly 
is the color of reddish sand; it is a flat-winged fly, and 
is very plentiful in this month and the next, and i3 a 
good killer when there is no quantity of any particular 
flies on the water. 

The Stone fly is a flat-winged fly; the wings and body 
are of a dark stone color, the latter is strongly marked 
with yellow ribs; the legs are of a greenish brown, and 
these it uses with extreme activity. When not on the 
water it frequents stones and pebbles by the sides of 
streams, on the rapid parts of which the artificial should 
be used. Many fish arc taken by dibbling with the natu- 
ral fly near the roots of overhanging bushes. It resem- 
bles a beetle in its flight, falls very heavy on the water, 
and is a substantial bait for large fish. On some streams 
it is known as the May-fly, as the green drake does not 
appear on those waters. It is a water-fly, and lasts from 
the beginning of April to the middle of June. 

The Grannum, or Green-tail, makes its appearance in 
this month. This is a flat-winged fly, of the size and 
shape of the Sand fly, with the addition of a green ap- 
pendage at the end of the body, which is its egg-pouch. 
This fly is quite a favorite with fishermen in April, but 
we confess we have seldom done much with it until the 
latter part of summer. 



NOTES ON THE MONTHS EOR ELI -FISHING. 1S3 
ilAY. 

At this season of the year the fish leave the deep water; 
and sport on small streams is now good. The best flies 
for this month are the Hare's Ear, Yellow Dun of May, 
Iron Blue, and its transformation the Jenny Spinner, the 
Alder fly, and the Yellow Sally. The Green Drake, or 
May fly, seldom appears on any stream before the last 
week in May or the beginning of June, under which 
month we give a descriptive account of the various meth- 
ods of using it. The little Iron Blue will now be found 
very abundant upon most waters, especially in the Mid- 
land and Southern counties. Its local appellations are 
numerous, but being precisely the color of a piece of new 
iron, the very appropriate and descriptive term, Iron 
Blue, is more generally adopted. The fly appears a shade 
lighter upon the body in this month, a mauve color pre- 
vailing. This fly assumes no other name upon under- 
going his change of color in the body, but is universally 
recognized as being one and the same fly. Were this the 
case with the larger species of duns, much complication 
would be avoided. To the entomological student, the 
habits of this little insect form an interesting and amus- 
ing study. It is extremely hardy, being a lover of in- 
clement weather. Its water nympha frecpients the cold 
spring heads during the whole summer, rising to the sur- 
face in clouds whenever the weather happens to be dull, 
with obscure sun. A cloudy morning will entice myriads 
from the watery depths, the fish being in turn allured 
from their accustomed haunts in the bed of the river to 
the surface of the water, where they regale themselves 
upon these prim little yacht-like insects. Great execu- 
tion may often be effected through the medium of a good 
copy of this especial favorite of the fish, even in the 
hands of an indifferent rodster, though it is not to be in- 
ferred that any artificial, or even a bad rendering of the 
9 



194 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

Iron Blue will be equally effective as when the light col- 
ored "blues" are absorbing the attention of the fish. 
The dark shade will, in clear water, often fail to accom- 
plish much; in these circumstances, no matter how well 
the fish may be rising, other "artificials," infallible as 
they may be in their seasons, will prove utterly useless. 

Whilst fishing the Kennet upon one occasion, not very 
long ago, a rather striking instance of this came before 
our notice. Out of a round half-dozen of fishermen upon 
the length we were about to fish, there were two northern 
anglers, spider theorists. These gentlemen, being 
strongly prejudiced against the southern regimen, had 
very eloquently declaimed, prior to our setting forth, 
against the absurdity of attempting to copy any special 
fly, maintaining that when fish are inclined to feed, one 
fly is as good as another, so long as the size is somewhere 
near the mark, adding that when fish were not inclined 
for feeding "every conceivable object in the fly-book 
would fail to tempt them." 

Finding verbal arguments ineffective, we had adjourned 
to the river's brim to try the effect of practical ones. 
The day opened bright and clear, with no flies on the 
water, and no fish on the rise, in which circumstances our 
Scotch friends wisely, in their own opinion, declined to 
fish. The remainder of the party, upon the other hand, 
rigged up with double-hooked Palmers, and commenced. 
These are cast on the water the same as the fly, and are 
then allowed to sink and move with the current. After 
a few fish had been allured from unseen haunts in this 
manner, to the amazement of the north countrymen, they 
protested that alluring ointment must have been used, 
which imputation was indignantly resented by several of 
the company, who affirmed that the sense of sight in fish 
was all they attempted to deceive; that no modern fisher- 
man believed in the efficiency of obnoxious ointments, 
and other pigments, and that the only reason that Wal- 



NOTES ON THE MONTHS FOR FLY-FISHING. 195 

ton and Cotton shone above their numerous contempo- 
raries so conspicuously was owing to the fact of their 
having proved themselves to be half -a- century ahead of 
their times, by ignoring such like trash. About noon a 
smart breeze sprang up, the sun being occasionally ob- 
scured by drifting clouds, and an odd fish or two now 
began to rise. The prim little Iron Blues quickly ap- 
peared, as though by magic, on the water's surface, jaunt- 
ily riding the tiny billows in quaint style. Now all set 
to with right good will. The party separated for busi- 
ness, and during the ensuing hour-and-a-half we had 
taken as many fish as could be conveniently creeled, as 
had also a neighboring rodster, when one of the Scotch- 
men hove in sight around a sudden turn. " Now for an 
exemplification of the relative virtues of spider and flies," 
observes our neighbor. ' ' Science versus ignorance and 
presumption," was our response. 

Scotchman — " The fish are really playing and not feed- 
ing; I have risen dozens, but have not hooked a single 
fish." 

" Indeed," was the reply, "but then you see you do 
not use alluring ointments! " 

At this moment our acquaintance of the morning 
hooked a good fish, which, judging from the unceremoni- 
ous way in which it was landed over some weeds, must 
have been hooked very well indeed. 

" They would seem to be feeding a little better here- 
abouts. " 

"Bather," sagely observes our friend, as he opened his 
well-filled creel to squeeze in his late capture. 

"By heavens!" ejaculates the disciple of typical delu- 
sion, "you don't mean to say you have taken that basket 
of fish this afternoon? " 

" That's precisely wbat I do mean to say, nevertheless; 
and what is more, I will wager the price of a dinner that 



196 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

each of our fly-fishers has accomplished something 
similar." 

" Oh, you may take my word for it there has not been 
a fish killed down below; but I tell you what, I am going 
in for one or two here; " saying which, he assiduously set 
himself to work. Our offers of the taking fly were de- 
clined by him, although the tongue of every fish taken 
was seen to be covered with one particular fly, and that 
fly the Iron Blue. Obstinacy and prejudice still held 
rampant sway, obstructing the path to success, and damp- 
ing the spirits of the inner man as effectually as the pro- 
verbial Scotch mist does the external one. Some fish 
were still to be seen rising. 

"I thought I had that fish, he rose within two inches 
of me at something else; it's very strange they will not 
take the bait." 

"It would be strange indeed if they did," was the 
reply. 

After witnessing more futile efforts on the part of the 
rodster with the infallible artificials, we landed a small 
fish or two, evidently to his no small discomfort, and then 
wound up for the day. By the time all had met at the 
hotel, every creel was found to contain fish, with the ex- 
ception of those of the free-thinkers, who returned in 
company, troubled and dispirited. It is needless for us 
to add that next morning saw them on board an early 
train bound for other latitudes, where it is hoped they 
will benefit by the lesson taught by experience. 

The Jenny Spinner is the metamorphosis of the Iron 
Blue. It is of a universal milk-white color, with the 
exception of two crimson bands, one at each extremity of 
the body. In this new dress, the insect, after the manner 
of all other spinners, is prevalent at sunset, whenever the 
Iron Blue has been well on in the course of the day, 
which generally is the case on all cloudy days, between 
April and October, though the color of this fly changes 



NOTES ON THE MONTHS FOR PLY-PISHING. 197 

somewhat during this period. In August the Iron Blue 
assumes a more olive cast upon the body; in September 
and October the precise shade and color in wing, leg, and 
body is the same as the Olive Dun of the same period, 
having a rusty shade upon the body precisely similar, the 
only difference being in point of size. These little duns 
are sometimes erroneously supposed to be half-matured 
Olive Duns; but flies do not grow or expand gradually, 
they are full sized when they quit their sheaths, as in the 
larva and pupa state they feed voraciously, laying up an 
internal store which lasts them the remainder of their 
existence, as we have elsewhere observed. The Jenny 
Spinner is a good killer, even when the water is extremely 
fine. The Yellow Dun of May is very prevalent on fine 
days, when it should be on the cast. The Alder fly is 
very abundant from about the last week in May to the 
middle of June. It is a flat-winged fly, and comes from 
a water nympha. The wings are of a dull brown, veined, 
the body being a dark claret, and the legs of a rusty black 
shade. It is a great favorite with trout and chub, par- 
ticularly towards evening. The natural insect may be 
used for dibbing, it being a large fly, though slightly 
varied in different localities. The Black Gnat is a very 
small fly, which is a great favorite with trout and gray- 
ling, when fully on the water. The fisherman's Black 
Gnat is a small winged fly, and is not to be confounded 
with the angler's plagues or pests, so prevalent at the 
latter part of the season; indeed, the naturalists aver that 
it is not a gnat in reality, that term being correct only in 
the case of the minute black smuts referred to, which re- 
semble nothing better than a fine speck of soot. The 
copies, however, of the Black Gnat, generally speaking, 
are much too large, being nearer the size of a Blue Bottle. 
The same observation also applies to the Iron Blue, the 
Jenny Spinner, and other small flies. Just when the 
May fly begins to appear the gnats generally come on in 



198 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

clouds, they being the forerunners of this celebra- 
ted fly. 

JUNE. 

As this month opens, the nymphse of the Drake, as a 
general rule, arrive at a sufficient state of maturity to 
essay a change of element. They become active prior to. 
the impending change, and by their movements in the 
bed of the water attract the attention of the trout, which 
feed upon them for some week or ten days before the 
great and continued rising. Just as the aquatic insect 
begins to change into aerial being, the attention of the fish 
is not attracted by them. Fish appreciate the quantity 
as well as the quality of their edibles; therefore, as long 
as the majority of the insects remain undeveloped in the 
water, their attention is monopolized by them. When, 
however, the surface is plenteously laden with feathery 
atoms of life, they speedily become as bold as the angler 
could desire. 

Before fully entering on the subject of Drake fishing, 
it would be as well, perhaps, to enumerate the small flies 
that are killers, more especially early and late in the day, 
before the May flies or Drakes appear. These we give as 
under: Little Chap, Black Gnat, Oak fly, Alder fly, and 
the Spinners. These naturals often in part accompany 
the Drake upon the water, before and after its appear- 
ance. The fish feed upon them when prevalent; before 
ten a. M. and after six p. m. being the most likely times 
for their proving useful; though it is by no means uncom- 
mon to find the fish taking the small flies at mid-day, 
when the Drake has been on for awhile. We have often 
watched a heavy trout eagerly skim the surface of the 
water in chase of a small gnat, which fish has ultimately 
proved, on being brought to land by this minute insect, 
to be fairly gorged with the May fly. The only explana- 
tion we can suggest is, that Master Speckle was anxious 
for a change of diet. 



NOTES ON THE MONTHS FOE FLY-FISHING. 199 

The Green Drake appears upon the lower portions of 
the streams first, often being four days or a week later in 
rising near the source, where the water, being colder from 
the springs, retards its maturity. The season of these 
flies varies in different localities. There are three lakes 
at varying altitudes at Mullingar, in Ireland. The May 
r fly first makes its appearance upon the lower lake and is 
plentiful, and the fishing here is good so long as these 
flies remain on the water. They usually last ten or twelve 
days, and when all is over on the bottom lake they com- 
mence upon the next in elevation, where they also last 
about the same period. Then the angler must travel a 
little higher, to number three lake, and here the May fly 
will just be found coming out, and the fishing is quite as 
good as on the lower waters. The fish run large in these 
lakes, not infrequently a four or six-pound trout is taken 
in the day, and sometimes much larger fish are killed. 
Throughout Ireland the May fly comes out in abundance 
on many lakes. In Scotland, on the other hand, there is 
very little Drake fishing. Upon a few odd lochs, the 
Awe, Lomond, and others, a few of these flies make their 
appearance, but sport is not good. Upon the other hand 
the May flies are extremely abundant upon almost every 
stream that produces trout, no matter in what latitude or 
clime; and with regard to the exception referred to, the 
Stone fly forms an admirable substitute, being equally 
abundant at the precise time the Drakes should appear. 
The fishy feast of St. May fly is annually looked forward 
to by the major portion of fishermen as the " good time 
coming." Many an old timid fish that at other times 
only ventures abroad by night, or at twilight, now boldly 
makes its appearance at mid-day; and a long, thin, un- 
derfed fish, with disproportionate head, will in a few days 
become vigorously healthful and plump, and of nearly 
double the strength it possessed previous to feeding on 
the Green Drake. 



200 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

We have bad the pleasure of wetting our line upon all 
trouc streams of note in the three kingdoms, but nowhere 
have we had such sport with this fly as on the Dove. 
Centuries ago this river was considered the best stream 
for trout fishing in England, and it still bears the palm 
for Drake fishing. In this renowned dale, which not 
only takes its name, but whose sylvan scenery derives an 
indescribable charm from the river, the flies are far more 
numerous than on any other stream. This may be due 
to various causes, the sheltering of rocks and foliage, or 
the geological formation of the bed of the river. This, 
however, we pass over; suffice it that the Green Drake, 
when scarce and almost a failure elsewhere, is to be found 
in clouds in Dovedale. Here fishermen of all grades 
throng the banks of bonny Dove with almost every con- 
ceivable equipment; long men with short rods, small men 
with large ones, from the youthful novice to the venerable 
old fly fisher of seventy years. 

And now, with our reader's kind permission, we will 
conduct him to a favorite leugth some distance up- 
stream, keeping a look out meanwhile in our progress as 
to what is doing. The first object that strikes our 
notice as we walk leisurely along, is an old man, who 
sits rod in hand under the friendly shade of some rather 
overgrown bushes, quietly and contentedly blowing his 
weed, his eye intently fixed on some object on the water 
near. 

" Why, he's certainly float fishing," you observe. 

"Not so," we reply; "it is the hale old miller from 
above, who has been tempted by the morning's bright 
promise of this being a good day with the Drake, with 
one of which he is dibbing or daping upon the water's 
surface, near the roots of the hawthorns." 

"But surely he cannot hope to do much in that wav?" 
you ask. 

" The very largest fish are taken in this manner. You 



Plate 5 




(201) 



NOTES ON THE MONTHS FOR ELY-FISHING. 203 

observe he is perfectly still and easy; lie has evidently 
seen the rise of a feeding fish below there, and he is con- 
tent to patiently watch. Ah! there, he has missed that 
fish; the fly is gone and so is the fish; he has taken his 
''hook' and left the miller's." 

"Any fault of the rodster's ?" 

" Oh no, none whatever. The fish has simply taken 
hold of the living fly by the tail, and so stripped it from 
the hook, which was placed between the wings; he is 
rather fastidious in feeding. The flies are merely out as 
stragglers yet; if two naturals be put upon the hook, he 
will, ten chances to one, get him the next time. The 
strongest tackle is used in this primitive style of angling; 
the shadow of the thick foliage, and the actions of the 
impaled insect, aiding materially in effecting the decep- 
tion." Every minute now the sun shines brighter, and 
more flies appear. We now move onwards, passing 
several more fishermen of the daping school. And now, 
directly preceding us, a fisherman is observed with a con- 
spicuously long stiff rod, attached to which is a very 
inconsistently fine line, which is out a great length. The 
rodster is as motionless as though the least action would 
upset his equilibrium, and seriously imperil the safety 
of his person and property, the twenfcy-foot rod in ques- 
tion. 

"Gracious goodness! Whatever kind of fishing do 
you call this, pray?" 

"This is in general use upon the lochs frequented by 
the May-fly, and is sometimes very successful here. The 
line consists of the finest possible substance, of the very 
strongest textile procurable, viz. , that of pure raw China 
silk, which, though not perceptibly thicker than the gut 
lash, is infinitely stronger. At the extremity of this is a 
live fly, which, if you watch very closely, you will see is 
made by the almost invisible action of the tip, to gently 
frisk and flutter in the most natural manner possible, 



204 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLEK. 

upon the top of the water, exactly like a lusty insect in 
the full enjoyment of perfect liberty. Tin's is a much 
more scientific way of dibbing than the one recently 
noticed. The gut is generally used three yards long, and 
is as fine as it is possible to draw it. The hook is small 
and is cropped short shank; this is usually inserted be- 
tween the wings, as in the other style of daping. Occa- 
sionally two hooks are placed back to back, in which 
case two flies are used, this more particulary on cold 
windy days." 

"How about the wind? I should imagine the whole 
thing impracticable without wind." 

"A slight breeze is certainly essential to the successful 
working of the method; but, when too strong, a small- 
sized split shot, attached near the foot line, acts admir- 
ably as ballast." 

"See yonder! we have still another type of a Drake 
fisherman. His method is more difficult to practice, but 
it it is more scientific, and is generally more successful. 
Mark how carefully he measures the distance requisite to 
reach the rising fish, that now forms the focus upon 
which his entire attention is fixed. He is evidently a 
more than ordinarily skillful fly-rodster. Observe how 
carefully he keeps away from the river's edge, casting 
dexterously within an inch or two of the rising fish." 

"Is he not rather circumspect in his use of the rod?" 

" He is casting the live fly, and that careful swing 
round from the left to the right is absolutely requisite to 
retain the fly upon the hook. Were not due care and 
caution paid to this the fly would continually be flipped 
off, and nothing but bare hooks presented to the fish. It 
must not be forgotten that 

' Though gudgeons strike 
At the bare hook and bait alike, 
The wily trout regardless lie, 
Till art. like nature sends the fly.' 



NOTES ON THE MONTHS FOR FLY-FISHING. 205 

The rodster before us is an adept at this particular 
branch of the art of fly-fishing. His rod is very pliable, 
as is necessary; and provided his gut and tackle are of 
the finest description, he will do some execution before 
night-fall." 

Whilst we have been taking observations the fish have 
turned out from their hidden haunts and sheltered 
nooks, attracted by the ever-increasing show of May-flies, 
which flutter upon the surface of the water. Without 
waiting to see the luck of our ideal rodster, we hasten 
onwards until our favorite swim is reached. Here the 
tackle is speedily arranged, fine double hooks mounted 
back to back upon the finest stained gut, being attached 
to the extremity of our treble X fine lashes. A live Drake 
is now placed upon the larger or uppermost of the two 
hooks, the hook being inserted in one side of the haunch 
forming the shoulder, which will admit of its maintain- 
ing a natural position when thrown into the water. And 
now we commence. 

But stay! your rod being not made specially for the 
purpose, will be found too stiff and difficult to use success- 
fully. We must first remedy this little, though serious 
matter. This small piece of fine lead wire will work the 
oracle if rolled round the tip of the top. "There, how 
does that feel ? Eather limpy ? Take an inch or so of 
wire off then. Now it is all right, everything that could 
be wished, in fact. Now let's at it! Bring round the 
rod over the left shoulder, taking especial care not to 
whisk, or whip off the fly. Now that was done very 
nicely indeed, and if it only had reached that fish over 
there, it would doubtless have been appreciated, as it in 
all justice deserved. Again, 'up he comes.' Strike! 
Eight! You have him this time; ' handle him gently, 
treat him with care' — slightly parodying Tom Hood. 
Take him a little below there to the shallow, and land 
him, or he will damage our sport hereabouts. That was 



206 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

very prettily done; sharp for another fly; here, you have 
it upon your coat; the very air is getting thick with flies. 
Ah ! the sun is now obscured by passing vapors ; stay 
your hand ; now for the artificial. Art hefore nature, 
when there is a lively chance of its being successful. 
Here we have our floating favorite, the Canadian wood- 
duck-winged Drake, with hollow wheaten straw body, 
let's have him on. Now for business. Away surges the 
line, the further extremity of which no sooner touches 
the water than it is seized, and you have an antagonist 
who, in the tug which immediately ensues, proves worthy 
of your steel. The first terrific wrench he gives the rod 
and. tackle as he dashes majestically away, shows him to 
be the tyrant of the length hereabouts. Did you not 
courteously yield to his wild and indignant rush with 
faint reserve, the fight would be brought to an abrupt 
conclusion, for had your tackle thrice the strength it has 
in reality, grim force would be utterly futile. Play ujjon 
him by placing a heavy strain upon the rod, allow him to 
steal his lengths heavily, and more heavily, in his frantic 
efforts to escape, ever keeping a look-out for mischief, 
such as sunken timber, roots, and sticks, to avoid which 
the heaviest strain the line is capable of standing must 
he put upon him, or he Avill prove victor, and will vanish 
with his spoils, consisting of several yards of choice gut, 
and perhaps your last artificial, which, though they may 
desperately encumber him, are not to be recovered. 
Exercise, therefore, your judgment and ingenuity, and 
his natural cunning will be put to rout. Time is no- 
especial object in a fight of this description : every wan- 
ing minute is a minute gained ; the heavier the fish the 
longer the time to be expended over him. According to 
the poundage of a trout, as a rule, the sport he gives ex- 
tends over an equal number of minutes, though, in a 
case like this, "each seems an hour." These disjointed 
sentences escape us as the scene is prolonged. Now, how- 



NOTES ON THE MONTHS EOR ELY-FISHING. 207 

ever, our captive's spirit is broken, his golden broadside 
lies athwart the silvery stream ; and as he is "limp as a 
loo-," you slowly tug him ashore. "Don't present arms 
with that net, but keep it out of sight until his tail end 
can be got at first. Capital ! There ! Safe at last, a 
three-and-a-half pounder if an ounce ; small danger of 
your eclipsing this if you fish for a week. But now is 
the prime time of the whole season, the fish are all 
out and feeding, therefore it is the time for the angler to 
weed out heavy fish, whose cannibal propensities are 
exemplified the more weekly, monthly, and yearly, until 
the water near their haunt is entirely depopulated. Let 
us see how's the enemy? — 2.15 p. m. You will extract 
a heavy pannier before dinner, if you labor against time; 
though the fun may furiously thicken, don't retain more 
than your fill." 

Personally speaking we make a practice of drawing the 
line at the lid of the creel, all conquests afterwards being 
relinquished as soon as effected. This rule, humane 
reader, we would commend to your acceptance, in all 
exceptionally favorable circumstances, whenever practi- 
cable. 

Should the weather prove fine, and favored with warm 
sun, the flies will appear a few days earlier in each locali- 
ty, but will terminate a week or so before their wonted 
time. The genial weather and warm temperature of the 
water admit of their attaining maturity almost simul- 
taneously ; and in these circumstances, it naturally fol- 
lows that their stay will be more limited. Chub are bold 
risers at the May fly, and after the close time, that is 
about the last week of the Drake, much diversion may 
be derived from Mr. Leatherhead. Grayling and all 
coarse fish come in season on the 16th of June. The 
small flies, when numerous, tempt them from the slow- 
running deeps to the rapids or shallows, where they con- 
gregate in shoals, being a gregarious fish. The Little 



208 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLEE. 

Chap and Black Gnat — both very small flies — are usually 
picked off by them in preference to the Duns, Spinners, 
Oak fly, or what not, that may be plentiful. We have 
frequently counted eight or ten fine fellows rising within 
the compass of a few yards, while at the same time there 
has not been another fish rising up or down stream. 
Under these circumstances, it will be obvious to all that 
great care is necessary in "playing" the fish, for should 
the rodster land his fish in a reckless or clumsy manner, 
his chances of hooking a second will be exceedingly small. 
The best way to land a grayling, under the above cir- 
cumstances, is to keep a gentle pull on the rod, and let 
the fish bolt down to the bottom of the water for some 
distance below where he rose, where he may be safely 
bagged. Grayling may be taken in the latter part of 
June with the Honey-Dun and Mulberry Bumble, Little 
Chap, and small Midges. The rod, like the line and gut, 
should be fine ; an ordinary one-handed fly rod, in good 
play, is decidedly the best, as with it you will often feel 
the fish in time to hook him ; whereas, with a less pliable 
tool you will feel nothing, save perchance a stake or a 
root. An hour or so at daybreak will, at this season of 
the year, seldom fail to yield capital remuneration in the 
way of sport, as, during the warmer weather, numbers of 
insects fall upon the water in the dark hours, and are 
taken by the fish as soon as they are discernible each 
morning. 

For a week or ten days after the Green Drake has dis- 
appeared the trout lie dormant in the deeps; until again 
hunger-bitten they disdain small food, but after the lapse 
of this time, they leave the stills and return to the shal- 
lows and rapids. 

The Oak fly is really invaluable to the fly-fisher in 
June, after the Drake season. This fly has the form 
somewhat of a Blue-bottle, and the color of the Sand fly, 
the body being more slender than that of the former, 



HOTES OK THE MOKTHS FOR FLY-PISHIKG. 209 

and ribbed with, black. This is a good fly to dib with, in 
a style similar to the May fly. Towards evening, after 
sundown, the Bed and Golden Spinners are generally on 
the water in great force, at intervals here and there, 
mostly near weirs, bridges, or overhanging trees and 
bushes, where they may be seen whirling in clouds. The 
trout are in better condition at the latter part of this 
month than at any other part of the year, a small half- 
pound fish proving as strong and vigorous as a fish dou- 
ble the weight a month or two earlier or later. The 
extraordinary fattening qualities of the heavy ephemera 
are mainly instrumental in effecting the change. 

JULY. 

The fish are now to be found in the small eddies and 
small streams behind large stones, sunken rocks, or any 
other impediment, in and by the sides of rapid streams. 
The Golden, July, and Pale Evening Duns, and the Pale 
Evening White (shades of the Ephemera Olive) will pre- 
dominate. The Spinners, especially the Golden, are 
very numerous, as are also the Midges and the Grass 
Moths. 

This month is perhaps the most difficult to fish suc- 
cessfully during the whole season. We often meet with 
young inexperienced anglers during a long sultry July 
day, who flog industriously from "early morn till dewy 
eve," meeting with but faint encouragement. Fine 
weather would seem to act as a magnet to draw the unin- 
itiated to the water side. For the special guidance of 
such, we append a few brief instructions as to the plan 
of procedure. To commence at daybreak, a cast of flies 
similar to the dead ones seen upon the water beneath the 
overhanging boughs of bushes, trees, etc., should be used 
over the moving fish before breakfast; when it is no un- 
common thing to find the fish rise until the dead flies 
are picked off. During mid-day it is of small use whip- 



210 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLER. 

ping the "waters, unless the day be windy, wet or cloudy; 
in these circumstances a cast of "artificials," corres- 
ponding with the "naturals" then vrpon the water, will 
he found to take. In the event of the weather heinsf 
hot and oppressive, use the Ked Palmer Caterpillar, of 
which more anon. At sunset small flies may again be 
resorted to. The evening rise after a seasonable day at 
this period is a sight worth seeing upon any well stocked 
water. During and after twilight the Caterpillar, Dun 
Cut, Moths, Coachman, and any of the large trout flies 
contained in the fly-book, will be found most deadly. In 
concluding, we may state that, provided with suitable 
tackle, the fault lies with the rodster if no sport is ob- 
tained. 

In the middle of the day, during the whole of this 
month, small blacks are frequently numerous; both trout 
and grayling feed upon them when on in sufficient 
strength. These tribes of blacks are almost invisible in 
most lights, and especially so when on the water. When- 
ever the fish are rising at these minute specks of life, it 
is almost vain to present anything else to their notice. 
The tantalizing effect of this insect upon the temper of 
the fisherman has caused it to be stigmatized as the "an- 
gler's plague;" the pests themselves being little larger 
than a grain of mustard seed, closely resembling the 
appearance of a minute ball of soot, the wings so filmy 
as to be almost indistinguishable to the naked eye. This 
is the black gnat of the naturalist; the gnat of the fish- 
erman is a much larger insect. The term gnat is usually 
associated with the troublesome insect whose habitual 
tendency would appear to be to plague and annoy the 
human race. The ily-dresser's gnat is usually of quite a 
different species, being of wondrously increased dimen- 
sions, more often resembling the common house-fly rat her 
than the gnat. The fisherman's Black Gnat proper, is a 
fly a little less than the Iron Blue, and should never be 



NOTES ON THE MONTHS FOR FLY-FISHING. 211 

dressed larger. The artificial " plague" is ingeniously 
contrived by a fine point strand of black ostrich herl; 
but the hooks used being too small to be effective for any- 
thing except grayling or small trout, we can scarcely 
commend their use. It may be an artistic feat to land a 
fish through the instrumentality of an artificial of this 
description, when attached to gut collars as fine as human 
hair, but the predominating chance of breakages, and the 
uncertainties over which the fly-fisher exercises little or 
no control, of unsafely hooking, etc., cause us to ignore 
these, adopting in preference a safe-sized hook and fly, 
viz,, the Little Chap. This is somewhat less than the 
angler's Black Gnat, and is dressed buzzy, and with this the 
fish's chances of hooking and holding are largely increased, 
There are some fly-fishers who care less about landing 
fish than hooking and turning them; to such as these, as 
a matter of course, a more correct copy is preferred. 

About the middle of this month the "Wren Tail ap- 
pears, and on hot days often in large numbers. Being a 
land insect it is of much consequence to the angler in 
calm weather. There are always, through the season, a 
variety of "oddlings" about, which, as a rule, affect 
neither fish nor fisherman, especially when seasonable 
flies prevail. Favorable weather for the fly at this part 
of the year implies brisk breezes, dull cloudy skies, or 
sharp showers. The evening rise after a hot, dry, sultry 
day, is nevertheless a famous time for sport, the fish 
usually rising vigorously until after twilight. The flies 
that have risen and hidden in the foliage fringing the 
river's bank during the day, turn out as soon as the 
power of the sun begins to wane. From the natural 
position of the fish in clear water, they have every ad- 
vantage of position, and faculty for distinguishing differ- 
ences the most trivial between one fly and another; and 
often is the angler nonplussed in his endeavors to arrive 
at the precise thing absorbing their attention. 



212 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

A valuable aid at these times, we have always found 
in the use of a small glass-bottomed drinking-horn, as 
in the froth and foam that is found in quiet corners, at 
points where the water eddies round, drowned specimens 
of what are monopolizing the attention of the fish are 
sure to be discovered. "Whenever the trout are not to be 
drawn to the surface, owing to the scarcity of surface 
food, there is for the fly-fisher a rarely failing method of 
procuring sport by means of the Ked Palmer Caterpillar. 
The way we use it is to cast it precisely the same as the 
fly, at the extremity of a nine-feet gut lash, in which 
fineness and strength are combined. This done, and all 
being in readiness, the mounted cast is delivered with 
more than ordinary care, a couple of yards or so above 
any fish that maybe on the look out for what the stream 
brings forth. In comparatively still and clear water, this 
style of angling exceeds most from a genuine sportsman's 
point of view, as each movement of the fish is plainly 
visible to the rodster. The lure should be slightly 
worked by a wrist movement, just sufficient to open and 
shut the feather fibres.* When the artificial has passed 
the fish the operation must be repeated; and fish, especi- 
ally large ones, are more often than not killed after a 
certain amount of attention to this matter. We have 
often creeled a trout, grayling, salmon, or chub, after 
casting twelve, fifteen, and even twenty times, the bait 
being subjected to an all round inspection each time of 
its appearance. It is thought by some, that by this 
repetition of casts and workings the fish finally becomes 
eager, under the impression that from the constant suc- 
cession of baits they are becoming numerous. Be this as 
it may, that the fish do take this bait not only in these, 
but in a variety of other circumstances, is now an 
established fact, placed beyond all dispute. We have 

* The author refers to up-stream fishing. 



NOTES OX THE MONTHS FOIl FLY-FISHING. 213 

personally used this lure for more than forty years, and 
can fully testify to its killing powers when properly pre- 
sented. By its use the fly-fisher is enabled to pursue his 
sport at any time of the day (or night) when the fish are 
not rising, and all ordinary means fail. This bait was 
originated by a famous Dove angler some half-century or 
so ago. This worthy, however, assiduously kept the 
thing private, and it was finally divulged in a purely 
accidental manner. Mr. Professor having, during a fly- 
fishing match, through a laxity of vigilance, left a type 
of the unknown mystic lure upon a twig on the opposite 
bank, his riyal, upon whom the action had not been 
lost, being in the vicinity, took the opportunity of solv- 
ing a problem that had perplexed him and other fisher- 
men for several seasons, as to the nature of an artificial 
capable of killing almost unfailingly, and that, too, when 
all ordinary artificials were all but useless. The dis- 
coverer referred to, was the writer, from whom the 
author of the "Fly-fisher's Entomology," and the gen- 
eral public, obtained the secret of the mid-water fly. As 
Mr. Eonalds points out, the artificial in question is a 
copy of the Arctia Caga, or Tiger Moth (commonly 
known as the Woolly Bear). In Scotch and Irish waters 
it is equally killing when dressed somewhat larger, as it 
is in the well-whipped streams of England. To both the 
salmon and trout fisher it forms a sort of auxiliary in 
reserve, convenient in otherwise trying circumstances. 

AUGUST. 

During this month the most favorable days for fly- 
fishing are when the weather is cloudy, and the water's 
surface is slightly ruffled by a breeze of wind. As the 
weather usually prevailing is similar to that of the month 
preceding, the instructions there given apply equally to 
the present month. "Upon clear sunny days the fish will 
be found under the shade of the bushes, on the sides of 



214 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

the banks. The Caterpillar, both as a mid-day and 
night fly, may be used with success, seasonable weather 
prevailing. The best evening flies are the Greentail or 
Grannum, Golden Dun, the Spinners, and the Interme- 
diate. The last is a representation of the fluttering atti- 
tude of a dun during the transformation scene, when it 
slips from its old covering, or skin, and re-appears more 
delicately graceful and fragile than before. The fish are 
especially partial to the up-winged naturals when in this 
temporary transitory stage, for which there may be many 
reasons, the most important being that the metamor- 
phosis always, or nearly so, takes place upon the top of 
the water, and therefore within reach of the feeding fish, 
which, it is well known, show a marked partiality for 
deformed or distressed prey, inasmuch as they will seize 
the sickly little fish, or a copy of one, from amongst a 
shoal of perfect fish, almost any one of which was in 
their power. 

The Eed and Black Ants, Gray Gnat, and "Wren-Tail, 
are to be seen upon the water on bright days, the small 
flies being then abundant. These are essentially mid- 
day flies, the larger species being numerous towards even- 
ing. When the fish are feeding upon small "naturals,"' 
the contents of the stomach of the fish taken should be 
examined, so as to ascertain correctly the takiug fly. 
Sometimes this is discerned by an inspection of the 
tongue only, especially when the fish are feeding well. 

About the 10th of this month, the August shade of 
the Large Browns (August Dun) comes upon the water; 
north of the Midlands it is much later. This fly, 
in common with the duns, seeks the shelter of the 
neighboring foliage immediately upon rising from the 
bed of the river, venturing forth about sunset. This, 
and the light Turkey Brown shade, are to be used ^vith 
signal success until the fisherman can no longer see to 
manage his line. The March Brown, dressed a size or so 



NOTES ON THE MONTHS FOE FLY-PISHING. 215 

larger than those usually used this side of the border, is 
the best trouting fly throughout Scotland, being a standard 
killer upon all its waters, excepting the Tay and Tweed, 
for which rivers the ordinary southern flies are adapted. 
In 1864, Lord Erskine took the heaviest take of trout of 
the season upon the Tweed, with the small black Gnat. 

A heavy shower often has a very beneficial effect upon 
the rodster's sport. We have frequently seen young an- 
glers, at the preliminary drops of an impending shower, 
rush for the nearest shelter, whilst the descending rain 
drops, beating down myriads of insects upon the water, 
allured the fish from their customary haunts to the sur- 
face, where in these circumstances they are to be readily 
taken by the persevering angler. As soon as the favorable 
and friendly rain has ceased to fall, Mr. Novice assidu- 
ously recommences to flog the stream, inwardly congrat- 
ulating himself, doubtless, at having been so fortunate 
in evading an unpleasant experience. 

Amongst the flies numerous in the evenings of sultry 
days, the spinners figure conspicuously, from the Great 
Bed of the heavy browns, to the prim little creatures of 
the Iron Blue order. The fish are usually all life from 
sunset until dark, and after this, too, when the moon rises; 
thus, if the angler is not busy too, in all probability the 
fault lies with himself. This month is the best in the 
whole season for minnow-fishing in brooks and rapid 
running waters. For information upon this subject 
we refer our readers to Trout Spinning. The largest 
trout are generally found feeding at some distance from 
very deep water, encumbered by tree roots or large 
stones; sometimes the bank is hollowed under an old 
tree root for yards, by the constant washing of the water. 
When disturbed, the trout will make for these retreats at 
a rapid pace, and should the unfortunate angler allow the 
fish once to get to his hold when hooked, he will to a cer- 
tainty lose his capture, and imperil his tackle. Much is 



216 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLER. 

to be learned, therefore, when the water is fine and low, 
as then observations may be taken as to the lay of the 
river's bed, etc. 

SEPTEMBER. 

Grayling are now rapidly coming into condition. Sea- 
sonable weather prevailing, good sport is afforded by 
these fish wherever prevalent. Trout and grayling take 
the fly in an entirely different way; the former, as a rule, 
comes up boldly to meet the fly as it floats down-stream, 
whilst the grayling seldom rises at a fly until it has 
passed over or close by him. This is owing to the singu- 
lar formation of the mouth of this fish, the upper part of 
which, projecting over the bottom lip, incapacitates it 
from closing upon the fly when- before it, as is habitual 
with the trout. The grayling being gregarious, it is of 
the utmost importance that each fish should be landed 
quietly and carefully, with the least possible disturbance 
of the water. In order to accomplish this satisfactorily, 
the hooked fish should be headed down-stream, whenever 
practicable, to the nearest available spot for landing. 
The angler who has been accustomed to whip for trout 
upon the waters of a small lake or pool will know per- 
fectly well how to accomplish this. To be a successful 
grayling fisher, it is essential to have thorough command 
of the rod, to have a sensitive touch, a quick eye, and a 
gentle hand. The secret of success in fact, as in other 
branches of the art, lies in the acquirement of certain 
details, which together constitute proficiency. First, 
the art of throwing should be thoroughly understood and 
acquired. This rule is imperative, as the least awkward 
movement will "knock the fish off the feed." It should 
ever be remembered that the eye of the grayling is even 
quicker and keener than that of the trout, though his 
cupidity is greater. 

Next in importance ranks "striking.'' This requires 



NOTES ON THE MONTHS FOB FLY-FISHING. 217 

a quick hand and eye; and if either one or the other be 
in any way defective, the angler should not strike at all, 
but should let the fish hook himself. Striking forms 
one of the most fertile sources of loss and disaster that 
exists in the modern method of fly-fishing. This is par- 
ticularly exemplified in the case of grayling, they being, as 
an old writer quaintly expresses it, "excessively tender 
about the chaps," and a very slight motion of the wrist 
is ample to drive home the small hook. It is here that 
quickness of sight and tenderness of touch are called into 
play, in the absence of which requisites the delicate 
tackle, or the hold of the hook, and sometimes even a 
portion of the jaw of the hooked fish, will be broken 
away by an impetuous rodster. Great care is therefore 
essential in this matter. 

Whenever the grayling are not rising, unlike the trout, 
they congregate in considerable numbers at the bottom of 
deep holes; but when there is a good number of flies 
upon the water, they quickly leave the deeps, and will be 
found in the slow running streams, more especially where 
the water averages a depth of three to four feet. Here 
they rise freely, so long as the supply of flies is unfailing; 
but upon these quitting the surface of the water, the fish 
gradually retire again to the still deeps. The best flies 
to use for grayling are the Grey-palmer, Willow and 
Needle fly, the Little Pale Blue, and seasonable shades 
of the Olive Dun order, which are all more or less 
numerous at this time, if seasonable weather prevails. 
The first-named is taken freely when the common wood 
and house flies are stricken with cold, and are carried 
upon the water by every gust of wind. Every naturalist 
knows that these flies go blind in this and the following 
month, but they do not all know that they furnish food 
for fish. Father Izaak used to make this fly from gray 
badger's hair: he terms it the Hearth fly; but there is 
every reason for believing it to be the common house fly. 
10 



218 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

The experienced would naturally suppose that a copy of 
the insect at rest, in correct attitude, would be the thing 
to fish with; but owing to the incessant struggles of the 
"natural" when on the water, this would practically 
prove a great mistake. Most land flies flutter conspicu- 
ously when upon the water, causing a ripple which is not 
infrequently taken for the rise of a fish. The Willow 
and Needle flies are also great favorites with these fish, 
and when sufficiently prevalent are the centre of attrac- 
tion for the time being. The Little Pale Blue (Septem- 
ber shade of the Iron Blue), like all little ephemerals, is 
fully appreciated throughout the autumn. These flies 
appear upon bright days, and are general flies upon every 
trout and grayling stream. The temperature of the 
weather and water being now similar to that of May, the 
Duns common to that month are again prevalent, 
and are useful for the capture of trout and grayling. 
The whole of the foregoing flies are seasonable "natu- 
rals." 

There may be days, however, upon which none 
of these may be out, when the fly-fisher has to fall back 
upon what are designated "fancy" flies, the chief and 
foremost of which are the palmer-dressings, known as the 
Tassel fly or Bumble. These are constructed in many 
shades, ranging from the blue-white ordinary dressing to 
the dark furnace or black red one. The Honey Dun, 
the Eed, and the Common Bumble, are the best for 
autumn fishing. Tag-tailed artificials are also used to 
tempt the fastidious fish, being hackled flies with a tuft 
of wool or feather at the tail, after the fashion of a 
salmon fly; but fly-fishing for grayling cannot be said to 
be usually lucrative when the fish are not on the rise. 
The food of the grayling consists of aerial and aquatic 
insects and their larvae, small worms, grubs, etc. 
Amongst the contents of their stomachs are also small 
shells and pebbles; these latter, we doubt not, arc taken 



NOTES OK THE MONTHS FOR FLY-PISHING. 219 

up, as in the case of gallinaceous birds, to sei^e some 
digestive function. 

In most rivers containing these fish they are not found 
in the higher portions ; they seem to prefer the deeper 
waters, at the bottom of which they lie in the hot months, 
to avoid the effects of the high temperature of the atmos- 
phere. Whenever the water is a little discolored the fish 
will be on the move for food ; a little inclement weather 
often does wonders in preparing the water and its inhab- 
itants for the pursuit of sport ; and the most favorable 
time for the tyro in fly-fishing for grayling is to repair to 
the river's bank when the water and weather are thus 
favorable. Grayling will frequently take a sunken fly 
upon the stills, ofttimes even when some considerable 
distance below the surface ; but this method need never 
be resorted to when they care for surface feeding. Upon 
windy days the Cinnamon fly is often found useful 
amongst the trout, which are as partial to the larger na- 
turals as the grayling to the smaller ones. In genial 
weather it is of little use employing it ; as, although there 
may be thousands upon the grassy bank near the river, a 
smart breeze is needful to carry them upon the water 
within the reach of the fish. Clear, frosty nights tend 
to improve autumn fishing. They invigorate the gray- 
ling, causing them to fight gamely when hooked, which 
is the case with other fish seasonable in the colder season. 

OCTOBER. 

This month may be said to be the best in the year in 
which to fish for grayling, which are now in prime con- 
dition. These fish have acquired a reputation for being 
less wily, and therefore more easily deluded than trout. 
This may have originated from the fact of their being at 
times given, like the salmon, to take some gaudy combi- 
nation resembling no living insect in creation. The 
angler who contemplates an excursion to the haunts of 



220 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLER. 

these fish, fully expecting to do much execution by such 
unnatural lures, will, in nine hundred and ninety-nine 
chances in a thousand, be grievously disappointed ; an 
odd brace, indeed, may be considered the average yield 
per diem of the nondescript artificials. 

Our earnest endeavors have always been to put the 
novice in the way for thorough sport ; and having this 
object in our mind's eye, we would impress upon the 
mind of such an one that, although in an exceptional way 
a fish now and again at rare intervals may be turned over 
by almost anything in the shape of an artificial, usually 
they are found to be more expert in discerning the points 
of difference between a natural and its copy than any 
trout that ever evaded hook. Their visual organs we be- 
lieve to be superior to those of any other fish ; for, al- 
though they habitually lie at the bottom of the water, 
they are not only greater adepts at fiy-catching, but can 
discern the most trivial deficiency in color of any imita- 
tion of what may be so monopolizing their attention. 
Prodigious takes of these fish are often secured, when 
fully upon the rise at the flies with which the water's 
surface is laden ; but these are effected by an exercise of 
considerable proficiency and caution on the part of the 
rodster. The October shade of the Iron Blue Dun order, 
the April shade of the Olive Duns, together with the 
Willow and Needle flies (small), and Gray Palmer, are 
the flies that will be found in this month. In unseason- 
able weather there is often a multiplicity of winged in- 
sects about, each species having but few representatives; 
in these circumstances the sunk-fly system may be prac- 
tised with success. This is more particularly resorted to 
upon still deeps, when the cast of flies, after being 
thoroughly saturated, is allowed to sink some five inches 
beneath the water's surface. Here the rodster has to 
discern by the feel when a fish touches the lure. Gray- 
ling will often examine the fly in a very leisurely sort of 



NOTES ON THE MONTHS FOR FLY-FISHING. 221 

manner before essaying to finally absorb it. A gentle 
hitch should always be given before taking the line from 
the water, as by that means fish are often killed that 
would otherwise be broken from and lost. It is also ne- 
cessary to cast directly across stream, a few feet above the 
rising fish, instead of directly up-stream, as in the case 
of the trout ; as with a slack line the grayling are apt to 
reject the fly without being hooked, when under water 
especially. A gradual drawing motion, when not tempt- 
ing the fish upon the surface, may be described, until the 
gut collar reaches the rodster's side of the river. The 
very largest fish take the fly in a remarkably quiet manner, 
therefore it is essential to give a slight feeling motion of 
the wrist at the least possible indication of a rise. A 
marked characteristic of the grayling is, that he will 
often unconcernedly permit the lure to go by many times 
before closing upon it. This is exemplified in a very 
marked degree in grub fishing, when, after the bait has 
passed say nineteen times out of twenty, the twentieth 
by no means infrequently proves successful. 

The accredited theory is, that the constant passage of 
the lure acts as a sort of ground bait in exciting the at- 
tention of the fish. Be it so or not, the fact remains that 
grayling are thus to be taken when not exactly upon the 
feed, and more especially the larger fish. Frosty nights 
and genial days bring the flies upon the water, and the 
delicately fastidious grayling upon the rise in a thorough- 
ly healthful style ; and if the angler fails then to do con- 
siderable execution, the fault most assuredly lies at home. 
One of the best day's grayling fishing we ever experienced 
was on the Dove, a few miles above Uttoxeter. The 
water's surface was plentifully besprinkled with the Oc- 
tober shades of the Iron Blue, every grayling upon the 
length seemed to have left its accustomed haunt in the 
bed of the water to regale upon them, and as these fish, 
in the lower portions of the river, predominate largely 



222 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

over the trout, the few rods that happened to be out 
were doing heavy work when once furnished with pre- 
sentable "artificials." Two fish were now and again 
taken at the same cast. This scene was prolonged for 
several hours; a sudden atmospheric change, however, 
finally caused the almost instantaneous retreat of the flies 
from the water's surface, the repast of the fish and our 
sport being as suddenly brought to an abrupt conclusion. 
The produce of a couple of neighboring rods were to be 
enumerated by the dozen; not only their basket, but 
their empty provision receptacles were filled with silvery 
grayling of all sizes upwards of half-a-pound. For our 
own part, we had captured at an early part of the day 
sufficient to fill the vacuum in our pannier, and for the 
remainder and greater part of the time had returned all 
subsequent captures. Such days as these are ever to be 
looked back upon as memorable reminiscences, and at the 
end of a long life of activity, cannot fail to form food for 
pleasing reflection. 

NOVEMBER. 

As the season advances, the grayling will be found a 
few yards above and below the deep holes, where they 
will rise when the flies are on the water, even in severe 
weather; indeed it is by no means an uncommon thing 
to find grayling taking well during a severe frost, when 
the line resembles an extended icicle, for like Jack, the 
grayling are in the very zenith of healthful vigor in the 
cold season of the year. When the world of vegetation 
is lifeless, and the whole landscape is submerged by an 
arctic wave, no sport can possibly be more exhilarating, 
or more conducive to health than grayling fishing in 
these circumstances. The rodster uses grasshoppers or 
hoppers of another shade before and after mid-day, filling 
up the interval with the fly, say from twelve a. m. to two 
p. m. A pleasing variety is thus afforded, which seldom 



NOTES ON THE MONTHS FOE FLY-FISHING. 223 

fails to meet with clue appreciation on the part of the fish. 
The flies to use, even in mid- winter, should be chosen 
from those last "on "in the latter part of the fall; as 
when Old Sol makes a feeble effort to rise in the heavens, 
a few insects are almost invariably induced to leave their 
retreat to meet death, either in the jaws of the fish or by 
the nipping wind of night-fall. A capital fancy fly 
throughout the grayling season is an artificial we term 
the Winter Dun. The body of this is formed of flat gold 
or silver, neatly laid on; legs, light blue hen's hackle ; 
wings fieldfare. This fly should be fished point. We 
can commend this before all the fancy fly species for the 
allurement of grayling in either clear or discolored water. 
In the early winter season the flies prevalent in February 
will be out ; the sombre-hued dun of that month, and on 
fine days the cock-winged dun will be seen about; and as 
flies appear merely in nominal numbers, the grayling ex- 
hibit great eagerness in taking what comes within their 
ken. Should the day prove cloudy, with wind or showers 
of rain, the Light Bumble will be found deadly, as will 
also the Gray Palmer. Upon the occasions the Cinnamon 
Ely is often to be observed on and about the water, and 
when this is so a copy may be placed as dropper with ad- 
vantage, as, though grayling as a rule prefer small flies, 
the big fish will often rise to larger lures. In clear water 
the fish will sometimes be observed to double back, after 
cautiously rising to the surface, without closing on the 
fly presented. This is often owing to the tackle being 
too strong and coarse. We would impress upon the tyro 
in the art of "flying" for grayling, the absolute necessi- 
ty of the very finest bottom tackle, ere he can pursue his 
sport with any degree of satisfaction. As in trout fishing, 
whenever the water is slightly discolored, and when the 
fish are on the move, the chances of sport with the gray- 
ling are enhanced. In these cicumstances the novice, 
providing he can put out a moderate line, will achieve 



224 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

wonders; but upon the other hand, when the day is 
calm and clear, with no friendly breeze to detract from 
the transparency of the stills of the limpid deeps, the 
proficient's best exertions and most accomplished skill are 
called as much into request in November as with trout 
in July. 

By way of conclusion we would observe that whenever 
mist is observed to rise from the surface of the water, 
either at night-fall in the warmer months, or at any part 
of the day in late autumn, all prospects of sport are to 
be considered annulled.* However much a descending 
or descended cloud may enhance sport, certain it is that 
an ascending one infallibly indicates to the observant 
mind that further attempts at allurement would be futile, 
the fish being off the feed for the time being. 



CHAPTER XV. 



SALMON AND SEA TROUT FISHING. 

THE SALMON ; SEA AND BULL TROUT ; SEWIN ; SALMON FISHING 
AS A SPORT ; THE ROD, LINE, AND REEL ; HOW TO USE 
THEM ; JIGGERLNG AND SULKY FISH ; SALMON FLIES ; SPIN- 
NING, ETC. 

Before entering into the practical part of this ponderous 
subject, we think a few remarks as to the varieties of 
salmon, sea or white trout, and other anadromous fish, 
may not only be necessary, but may also serve to supply 
a deficiency hitherto conspicuous in angling works. 

In the ichthyological classification of migratory salmoni- 



* We have noted tbis fact time and again when fly fishing for black 
bass on the rivers of the Middle States. 



SALMOX AND SEA TEOUT FISHING. 225 

dffi much difference exists, the ordinary method followed 
by naturalists in determining species proving inadequate. 
So innumerable are the variations, that the sub-generic 
group (Salmones) are for the most part named after the 
water they inhabit, as G-alway sea trout, Tay salmon, 
Shannon salmon, etc., etc. The differences between these 
consist both in size, form, and color; and are due to the 
following among other causes:— First, the varying prop- 
erties of the water in different localities; second, the 
complications implied by interbreeding— an extremely 
fertile source of difficulty, producing, as it does, endless 
changes in detail amongst the Salmonoids; and thirdly, 
the varieties dependent upon age and sexual develop- 
ment. 

Salmon proper attain much greater weight and dimen- 
sions than the sewin, sea, or white types, and when in 
condition are also distinguished by outward form and 
color, in both of which we deem them unequalled by any 
other order, family, or species of fish. The sea and bull 
trout — the former shorter and broader than salmon 
proper* — are distinctively marked by a quantity of black 
spots, which, when the fish is cooked, become more vivid. 
There is also a marked absence of that beautiful fiery 
bronze natural to the well-conditioned salmon; and last- 
ly, we may state that, if not distinguishable from the 
genuine species in its outward aspect, its inferior edible 
qualities should render it easily discernible. In the north 
the sea trout is equally abundant with the salmon, and 
large quantities find their way to the southern towns, 
where they are retailed by the fish dealers, whose bois- 



* Sea and bull trout, so called in the text, do not vary sufficiently in 
structure to be assigned to different species. The term " bull trout" is 
often indiscriminately given by English authors to the sea salmon, sea 
trout, and the Welsh trout or " sewin." A sluiht difference it: coloration 
and form gives rise to a confusion of local names in England as well as 
with us. 



226 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLEE. 

terous cry of "Salmon without any gammon!" is heard 
whenever a fresh instalment arrives. In many eases 
these people have been unwittingly "gammoned" them- 
selves, their customers, nevertheless, being the ultimate 
dupes. From the fisherman's point of view, the sea trout 
is equal to the finest grilse that ever ascended the Tay or 
Tweed, exceeding, as he does, for gameness and pertinac- 
ity every other British fish. The bull trout ascend their 
native rivers in April and May, their first appearance at 
any distance from salt water being immediately after an 
early spring flood. These are for the most part young 
fish, ranging from three to five, and occasionally six 
pounds. The oldest and best fish ascend in great num- 
bers in Xovember and December, ranging from six to 
twenty pounds in weight. In some localities the term 
bull trout is erroneously applied to the sea or white 
trout ; nor is the error confined to the illiterate, some 
authors of eminence having endorsed this inaccuracy. 
Mr. Frank Buckland was convinced of the fallacy of this 
when he penned the following: — "It is supposed by 
some that the sea trout and bull trout are identical. I 
know the bull trout very well; indeed, I could pick him 
out amongst a thousand other salmonida?. I am certain, 
therefore, that there is a difference between the ordinary 
sea trout and bull trout." * From our own observations 
we are led to think that the bull species are hybrids be- 
tween the salmon and sea trout (S. trutta). The ex- 
ternal difference between the salmon and bull trout is 
much less than between salmon and sea trout, both in 
point of color and size, thirteen to fifteen pounds being 
the average weight. The seaf or salmon trout, upon 

* Professor Gunther of the British Museum, one of the most prominent 
ichthyologists in Europe, states that these fish arc of the same species. 

+ The sea trout of Canada (to which habitat those of America are 
confined) will average about two pounds. In certain localities, they, 
however, maintain an average weight of five or six pounds. This is 
especially the case in the river Nouvelle in Gaspe, Canada. 



Plate 6. 





SWAN BENT HOOK.' 
F1C:6 RANGE OF KENDAL SNECK, HOOKS 




(327) 



SALMON AND SEA TROUT FISHING. 229 

the other hand, seldom attain more than six or seven 
pounds weight. They abound in nearly every beck and 
burn, loch and river of Scotland and Ireland, and are 
readily taken with the fly. We have already adverted to 
their gameness: the bold dash, wild leap, and game fight 
are more or less exemplified wherever they may be found. 
The rivers most noted for these fish are the Spey, Don, 
Tay, and Tweed. The peal, or salmon peal, as it is 
termed, is the grilse stage of these fish, as it is also of the 
Sewin (S. Cambrians), which species, though chiefly 
found in Wales, is also abundant in several southern 
rivers of England. This fish is closely allied to the sea, 
white, or salmon trout. It has the delicate coloring of 
the salmon parr, the prevailing hue being a pale slate 
blue, which graduates from the dull black upon the back 
to the pure chaste white of the breast, the broad expanse 
of the side being profusely spotted with black, and oc- 
casionally red; the latter about the lateral line. Sewin, 
in common with the whole species, are subject to great 
variety of tint, the action of fresh water causing them, 
after a protracted stay, to assume somewhat the color of 
the ordinary brown trout.* Commercially the sewin is 
not nearly so important a fish as the salmon trout. Its 
flesh is generally preferred as an article of diet, but it is 
not so plentiful as its northern relative. The whole mi- 
gratory body of the salmonidge family flourish infinitely 
better in the more northern than in temperate regions. 
The salmon of Norway, and even so far north as Iceland, 
attain much greater dimensions than the natives of more 
southern latitudes. The sewin is far less vigorous than 
other members of the same family, and when its instincts 
prompt it to ascend the rivers to attain the requisite 

* This peculiarity has been observed in the American sea trout. The 
alternation of color from a bright silver, their sea livery, to the darker 
shades and even to the vermilion spots of the trout of the brooks, has 
been attested by observant anglers. 



230 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

medium temperature of water and atmosphere to insure 
the vitality of its eggs, is more easily obstructed in its 
passage. 

Bull Trout have the most hardy temperament, being 
more vigorous than the salmon, and owing to this, gen- 
erally succeed in reaching and occupying the best and 
most favorable spawning beds, before the salmon put in 
an appearance. 

With the Salmon we have dealt under the heading of 
"Habits and Haunts of Fish." From a piscatory point 
of view, it is a truly noble fish, and affords splendid 
sport, as every angler will corroborate who lias the pleas- 
ure of landing a good lively fish, after a hard and heavy 
fight. Upon salmon fishing as a sport much might be 
written: the salmon fisher is a sportsman of an almost 
distinct species from ordinary anglers. The superiority 
of this game fascinates its followers, and prompts them 
to ignore, not only all other and inferior branches of the 
gentle craft, but by no means infrequently other field 
sports and national diversions for the pursuit of the sal- 
mon when in season. The true sportsman, however, 
pursues his peculiar vocation arduously, zealously, and 
spiritedly, and whether it be Nimrod, ramrod, or fishrod, 
for the time being his whole soul is thrown into the 
pursuit. Salmon fishers now wander far-a-field for past- 
ures new; some enthusiastic sportsmen make the pursuit 
of the salmon their one object in life, roaming over the 
vast area of the European and American continents, and 
of late years the boundaries of these have been over- 
stepped, since the virgin waters of the antipodes have 
proved so fertile. The popularity of salmon fishing has 
increased something like a hundred per cent, during the 
last half-century. Since the opening up of the Scotch 
Highlands by the royal steam route, branch extensions 
have rendered districts, once remote, comparatively easy 
of access, and a part of the brief vacation of the most 



SALMON AND SEA TROUT FISHING. 231 

eminent statesmen and professional men and others, 
forming the brain power and intellect of the nation, is 
spent annually in the northern wilds, the royal emporium 
for the sportsman. Here in the 

"Land of brown heath and shaggy wood," 
Land of the mountain and the flood, 

the roving disciple of the rod wanders up to the head of 
the river, into the heart of the mountains, sometimes 
cheered by the pleasant converse of a few true men and 
honest anglers like himself, often alone with nature in 
her fairest or wildest loveliness. Solitary or social, his 
appreciation of all the sweet charms of wild nature is 
ever keen and lively. Ubiquitous even as the "Murray"- 
bearing British Tourist is now the rod-carrying British 
angler. For his enthusiasm Scotland's most extortionate 
hotels have no terrors, nor do Norway's ruggedest soli- 
tudes and coarsest fare deter him from seeking the lordly 
salmon by many a "fjord" and "foss." 

Before passing on to the practical part of the art, it 
will be necessary to enumerate the chief articles requisite 
to a tolerable equipment. 

The Rod first claims our attention. The remarks anent 
the choice of a rod for fly-fishing — as also winch and line 
for small stream fishing — apply equally to salmon-fishing. 
The lake and large river implement is of necessity of 
greater dimensions. The Castle Connell style of rod is 
tolerably good for some waters; but the small "grip" or 
hand-hold afforded by the slender stock has a very cramp- 
ing effect when the rod is wielded industriously for a 
lengthened period. The six-feet joints, with the delicate 
spliced extremities, are very liable to damage whilst 
travelling. Greenheart is undoubtedly the best wood 
for heavy work. There are, however, good and bad varie- 
ties of every description of wood without exception. 
Thus we have indifferent Greenheart, Wahaba, Maho, 
and Locust, just as often, and perhaps more so than not, 



232 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

made up into both salmon and trout rods; but the 
most deplorable error, the one to be most assiduously 
avoided, is cross-grained joints. There are individuals 
careless and unprincipled enough to make up short or 
cross-grained wood in most rods made by them. This 
defect is most noticeable in colored japanned articles. 
The steel-centred salmon rod is a weapon several feet 
shorter than the usual old-style lengths; a rod of four- 
teen being quite equal to an all-wood tool of sixteen-and- 
a-half feet. 

The Line and Eeel need but little comment. The 
former should be from one hundred to one hundred and 
twenty yards in length for all round lake and river work. 
Salmon lines, as well as trout, are plaited taper, both 
double and single. Personally, we prefer a straight line, 
no matter of what material it may consist. The fine 
ends are worn and frayed by the constant friction, be- 
coming soft, limp, and waterlogged, whilst the thicker 
parts of the line, not coming in for a fair share of the 
work, remain sound and good. The weakest part of a 
line, always in constant casting or spinning, gets the 
twist and turn, and is thus more readily frayed away. 
The hair and silk, cotton cord, and plaited hemp lines 
are inferior both in point of strength and durability to 
silk, plaited, and prepared to resist the action of the 
water and friction. The new Acme line, as we have 
already pointed out, is an advance on the waterproof silk 
lines. The annoyance of a bad or defective line can only 
be equalled by a defective reel. The salmon reel should 
be bronzed, and when made with check, tins action 
should be of steel. Brass cogs are a delusion, being 
simply useless for heavy wear. It is no uncommon thing 
for an ordinary reel of this description to get completely 
deranged, through the non-durability of the centre parts. 
This is particulary noticeable in Indian Mahseer fishing, 
in which the wear of the winch is heavier still. The ad- 



SALMON" AND SEA TROUT FISHING. 233 

vantage of the centre stock reel is yet more exemplified 
in the larger tools. The convenient catching place for 
the loose line, always afforded by the side-fitting winches, 
is removed; indeed, we have equal confidence in the 
centre butt winch doing away with a fertile source of 
annoyance and loss, as we previously had in respect to 
the revolving plate, when we perfected that improvment, 
as compared with the old windlass handle, which is now 
being discarded in favor of our improvement. A small 
hole should be pierced in the revolving plates of large 
reels to admit of oil being inserted when needed. 

How to use Rod, Reel and Line. — This is a difficult 
matter to deal with on paper. Observation and practical 
instruction are so superior as means for conveying knowl- 
edge, as compared with mere verbal instruction, that we 
recommend the novice to make a combination of the 
two, by placing himself under the guidance of an ex- 
perienced salmon fisher, if his circle of acquaintance 
embraces one. 

Long-casting ranks amongst the foremost of the attri- 
butes to success and proficiency; and when some twenty- 
five yards can be put out tolerably straight the rodster may 
congratulate himself upon his having overcome the lead- 
ing difficulty in the beginner's path. When a cast can 
be made fairly well, the knack of striking, etc., follows 
as a natural consequence. This is readily acquired from 
that best of tutors — experience. We have invariably 
found that if the loss of fish and tackle does not instil 
knowledge and suggest improvement, other expedients 
will be equally futile. The rules already laid down for 
casting in the case of trout and grayling -hold good for 
salmon fishing, though with this difference, that the 
implements and tackle being of heavier calibre, a greater 
distance is to be attained by the action and impetus given 
to the rod and line. Precision is also of equal conse- 
quence, as the rodster has to cast when the fish are in a 



234 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLEfi. 

sportive humor, within the "ring" of a rise, just the 
same as when in quest of smaller quarry. This requires 
a considerable amount of application to accomplish at a 
good distance; but just as the exj^erienced cricketer 
handles the bat with tact and skill, so must the salmon 
fisher wield the rod; proficiency in both is the reward of 
constant practice, and of that only. 

Some anglers acquire a certain right, and in some 
instances a left-hand cast, and acting up to an orthodox 
system, swing without deviation upon all occasions. The 
thing to do is, as we have elsewhere stated, to adapt one's 
self to the situation at all times, and learn to handle 
the tools so as to cast in any direction requisite to reach 
the fish. It is an endless source of pleasure to the adept 
to test his powers of casting under more than ordinarily 
difficult circumstances. He well knows that assiduous 
application to this matter is repaid by exceptional sport, 
and that too, when but little is doing in the well thrashed 
open. 

When a fish is hooked, the variety of expedients re- 
sorted to is frequently considerable, one of the most 
common is that of " jiggering."* In this a side to side 
motion is described by the line in the water. This is 
caused by the fish endeavoring to rake or rub out the 
hook in the bed of the water, or upon a flag or sub- 
merged stone. It is believed by some to be caused by the 
mere shaking of the fish's head in mid-water, but this is 
pure nonsense. We have watched the action of jigger- 
ing fish in clear water often, at almost every angle, and 
have generally found that a continued "jigger" bodes ill 
for the consummation of the capture. During a late 
visit to the Hebrides we experienced a rather striking 
instance of this. Upon the occasion in question we had 

*Our black bass, when hooked io running shallow waters "jigger;" 
at least I have had them to go through a modified form of the action 
described in the text. 



SALMON AND SEA TROUT FISHING. 235 

hooked a good salmon, but at the expiration of two- 
thirds of an hour had not succeeded in landing it, owing 
to our peculiar position. We had hooked our fish whilst 
bank fishing upon a perpendicular rock, some six or 
eight feet above the surface of the water. During the 
greater part of this time the salmon had been active, so 
much so, that more than once our fine gear was in immi- 
nent danger of being severed. After these plunges and 
wild determined rushes to and fro had subsided, our 
quarry finally settled, in deep water, near the rock upon 
which we stood. There an unpleasant jiggering motion 
was described by the line. 

In this instance, the water being comparatively clear, 
the movements of the fish were plainly discernible. Some 
ten feet or so from its surface he was energetically rub- 
bing his snout upon a jutting part of the rock, from 
right to left, and left to right, without a moment's ces- 
sation. We ran paper down the line in the usual way, 
to no purpose, the exasperating "rub-rub" still con- 
tinuing. Donald, the keeper, had meanwhile set off to 
explore for pebbles, but even this chance was denied, he 
returning as he went, empty-handed. As a last desperate 
effort, our pocket key-ring was fixed on the line (it being 
split steel), and run down. ISTo sooner was this accom- 
plished than the fish dashed away towards the open. 
Now for the first time the thought struck us that if the 
fish was not taken our keys were irrecoverably lost. Ee- 
gretting our impetuosity, we cautiously gave and took 
line as occasion required. The presence of the nose ring 
and jingling appendages, meanwhile kept the fish in 
action. This, however, . speedily told upon him, and 
finally he was safely gaffed in a more accessible situation. 
Since this occurred, we have had a number of small 
bright metal rings made, which we have found most 
useful for both sulky and jiggering fish. 

Another frequent freak of the fish is to make for un- 



236 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

derneatk the boat, when the rodster occupies one; there 
the tackle is in danger of damage from the rough keel, 
even if the fisherman is quick enough to pass the rod's 
point around the stem or stern in time to avoid a dead 
wrench upon, and probable smash, of the tackle. The 
sulking propensities of salmon when hooked and wearied 
by futile efforts to escape, are well-known traits of their 
character. It is very tantalizing to await the pleasure of 
a stubborn fish of this description. There are instances 
upon record of anglers staying through the dark hours 
with a sulky fish. All that we would say further upon 
this subject is, that the necessity of such a thing is en- 
tirely obviated by the use of any small metal contrivance 
that will serve to drop down the line to arouse the fish 
from its lethargy or persistent doggedness of disposition. 
In river fishing for salmon, every stream, pool, and 
likely eddy, should be well and carefully fished. When 
the gleam of a fish is discerned below the fly, and no rise 
ensues, a change of flies should be made. Salmon for 
fastidiousness stand unequalled. Upon certain days they 
take with avidity a certain kind of fly, while for some 
time afterwards it may be refused for another and totally 
different description. Upon the most frequented salmon 
waters peculiar flies are used of local notoriety. We do 
not believe, ourselves, in the hard and fast rules given as 
to this or that special dressing being infallibly successful 
upon any specified water, and on its uselessness upon 
another adjoining lake or river. The salmon fly is but a 
fanciful combination, arranged with a view to the general 
artistic effect; and as nature presents no model for man 
to imitate, the fanciful amalgamations of feathers, tinsel, 
fur, and wool, are closed upon by the sportive and capri- 
cious fish, in a mere spirit of wantonness, or because of 
its being novel. We have often (and we doubt not that 
a few of our readers have had similar experiences) sur- 
prised native rodsters by the effect of a non-observance 



SALMON AND SEA TKOUT FISHING. 237 

of their given rules of procedure. .A. strange fly, whether 
it happens to be sombre or gay, frequently does wonders 
amongst these fickle fish. Change, in this respect, is 
far more effective in influencing the net yield than can 
easily be credited. 

Salmon flies exist in myriads of varieties, and to at- 
tempt to enumerate the whole of those in general esteem 
would be a needless task. The following are a few of 
the standard killers of universal repute:* — 
The Jock Scott, The Wasp. 

" Black Dose. " Doctor. 

" Spey Dog. " Rainbow. 

" Butcher. " Captain. 

" Shannon. " Lightning. 

" Parson. " Blacker's Patterns. 

" Eanger. etc, etc. 

In addition to the above, we commend the following: — 
The Spanker, the Eob Roy, the Spartan, the Tarn o' 
Shanter, and the Mac Sporran, for a description of which 
see Salmon Fly-making. The impartiality of this fish 
towards any particular lure or class of artificials for all 
seasons and occasions is in marked contrast with the 
pedantic partiality of many anglers, who pin their faith 
upon an odd fly or so, that has happened to do something 
exceptional in their hands, it may be; but it is of small 
use trying to convince these of their error. Prejudice 
and obstinacy satisfy them that they are infallibly right. 
While fishing some few years ago on Loch Nell, we took 
an exceptionally large salmon, whose habitual haunt was 
in one particular spot, near a submerged rock. Upon 
our return to the inn, the landlord eagerly inquired as to 
what part of the water he had been extracted from; and 
our capture proved to be an old acquaintance of his, a 

*The majority of these flies can be bought from American dealers in 
fishing-tackle. 



238 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLER. 

fish that had nevertheless cut his acquaintance very fre- 
quently according to his account. Though the form and 
dimensions of the fish greatly interested our worthy host, 
the fly that had been instrumental in his capture monopo- 
lized his chief attention. Ever after this event the land- 
lord played the '"Spanker"' without cessation or intermis- 
sion. Subsequently, whenever the man was seen with 
a fish, the query "what fly?' was certain to elicit the 
reply "Spanker! sir;" indeed, among the visitors, the 
virtues of the Spanker was so well worn a topic, that the 
subject was finally suppressed at first scent. 

Spinning and Trolling for sea trout and salmon are 
common practices in the north, especially upon the lochs, 
where the bait is spun by a propelled boat at a distance 
of fifty yards or so m its wake. Whenever the fish refuse 
to rise, spinning may with advantage be resorted to; 
indeed, mid- water fishing may, under these circumstances, 
often be practised with signal success, though as a gen- 
eral thing, it does not yield the sport of surface fishing. 
Small fish of almost any description, when from four to 
six inches in length, may be used. The best artificial 
baits are the metal ones, the " Universal," "Excelsior," 
" Devon," and "Spoon." 

The Red Caterpillar is as killing a lure for salmon and 
sea trout when they are not rising, as it is for common 
brown trout, etc. It is used in precisely the same way, 
but is constructed, as a matter of course, much larger ; 
the loop too, at the head, should be of double salmon 
gut. Black palmers with silver twist are also good, but 
not to be compared with the red, as the habitual users of 
both can testify. If there is anything objectionable in 
the use of the Caterpillar for sea trout and salmon, it is 
the partiality of the smaller fry for them ; they, especially 
the brown trout, are really boring in their incessant at- 
tentions. At the end of a day upon the Awe in Argyle- 
shire, when we had been more than usually pestered in 



SALMON" AND SEA TROUT FISHING. 239 

this manner, the following colloquy ensued with Gibby, 
the gillie in charge of the boat. 

"Faith, and dun yer ken what fysshe wa'en ta'en the 
day, weth the hairy worren ? " 

"No!" 

"Wal, twanty-four dozen sma' throut jest — an they 
twa white fysshe — sure, it's a fearsome baste, an' a regular 
kill devil." 

To those anglers who habitually smoke whilst fishing, 
and their name is legion, we would tender a word of ad- 
vice. Never carry Vesuvius loose in your waistcoat 
pocket, or you may perchance be troubled with a touch 
of heartburn externally, as was the experience of the 
writer on one occasion whilst playing a fish from the 
banks of the Tweed. We had unconsciously given the 
receptacle of the pipe lights a touch with the butt end of 
the rod, when the whole ignited, the result of the con- 
flagration being loss of the fish, and the spoliation of 
certain garments. 

We may here also observe, that when landing a fish 
with a short-handled gaff upon a high bank over deep 
water, it is not always safe to be backed with a well-filled 
creel, for should the creel happen to find its way to the 
front, suddenly and unexpectedly you may feel as we 
did once, viz., that a cold water plunge is inevitable 
under the circumstances. 

In salmon as in trout fishing, the location of a fish 
poised for feeding or perhaps rising, requires often a little 
reconnoitring. The course of the water in his immediate 
vicinity should be noted, and the lure presented accord- 
ingly. In order to circumvent exceptionally large fish 
more particularly, it is by no means advisable to cast 
haphazard in the vicinity of the fish before the distance 
is rightly calculated, or the course of the water appre- 
ciated. If it is your earnest desire to take the fish seen 
rising, like an efficient general you must take in the 



240 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

bearing of the situation, with a view to so presenting the 
lure as to leave nothing wanting in skill and judgment 
upon the part of the rodster. 



CHAPTEE XVI. 



ABOUT HOOKS. 

CRIPPLED HOOKS ; THE OVER-BARBED HOOK ; DEFECTS IN TEMPER, 
ETC. ; THE LIMERICK : KENDAL-SNECK ; CARLISLE ; KJRBY ; 
THE "SWAN" BEND; THE NEW EYED HOOKS. 

In a country which takes the lead in piscatorial pur- 
suits, and whose improvements serve as the type and 
pattern for other nations, constant progress should at 
least be made, and improvements achieved in order to 
retain the position gained. If there is one thing more 
than another, in this branch of industry that we excel in, 
it is the manufacture of our hooks. These are in general 
use upon the continent, in the colonies, and everywhere 
where the angling art is practised. It will, therefore, be 
readily couceded by all who have devoted attention to the 
subject, that more attention is due to this important item 
in the angler's equipage and in our national commerce, 
than has, of late years, been bestowed upon it. Previous 
to our suggesting any impro\ements in detail, we intend 
calling attention to a few very common defects in hooks, 
as generally constructed, to which may be directly traced 
much unnecessary loss and disaster. 

The excessively bony nature of the mouth of most fish 
has frequently a very trying effect upon the hook; there- 
fore, any little deficiency in its make, or manner of con- 
struction, leads to untold evils. In order to render our- 



ABOUT HOOKS. 241 

selves intelligible to the reader we shall first describe the 
usual system of making the hook. First, then, the wire 
is struck off in given lengths, in accordance with the size 
of the hook required; next, the point is formed and the 
shank reduced by a few strokes of the file ; and next, the 
barb is cut by means of a large knife. All is now ready 
for bending, which is one of the most particular items in 
the construction, as the operation decides the shape, and 
consequently, the particular species of hook to be pro- 
duced. This is quickly done by means of a small steel 
block around which the wire is bent, the shape of the 
block varying according to the particular bend required. 
Now comes the final operation, viz., that of tempering. 
This is done in a large pan over a slow furnace. Millions 
of hooks are frequently tempered in one operation, there- 
fore the greatest care should be bestowed upon this im- 
portant point ; but of this more anon. The most fertile 
source of complaint is, we believe, the undue weakness 
of the majority of hooks at the barb (see diagram VI., 
fig. 2). A deeply barbed hook may be safely discarded 
as being too dangerous to use. There is no earthly ne- 
cessity for it. Not only is the wire half cut through by 
the operation, but the point of the hook is forced quite 
out of the straight line ; thus, not only requiring heavier 
striking to hook a fish properly, but being more liable to 
snap by the sudden strain. The very action of inserting 
the bearding knife too deeply causes the point to project 
outwards inadvertently (see Plate 6, fig. 2), giving it a 
"scratch and let go" appearance, and no less effect ; in- 
deed, there are but two alternatives for a hook of this 
description when a fish is caught upon the gristly or bony 
part of the mouth — (1) to scratch as described, or (2) to 
break clean off at the barb near the point of the hook. 
We have seen hooks fitted with costly salmon flies, nine- 
tenths of them being quite useless, having broken at this 
identical point. A batch was shown to us by (the late) 
11 



242 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

Mr. Frank Buckland, H. M. Inspector of Inland Fisheries, 
numbering one hundred and twenty-seven, all broken. 
The original value ranged from five shillings to one guinea 
each. * Nine of these were broken at the sharp bend of 
the Limerick hook, the whole of the remainder at the 
barb. The loss incurred at this rate is considerable, 
and when we take the fish into account, it is simply- 
monstrous. 

This defect is by no means confined to the Limerick 
bend of hook ; it is frequently more conspicuous in the 
Sneck or Kendal bent hooks, so universally used in trout 
fishing : vide the experience of everybody. Another point 
of paramount importance is the tempering, as when this 
is done in a defective manner, by being left too high or 
too low, disappointment and loss ensue as the inevitable 
result. 

Among non-japanned hooks uselessly soft ones may 
sometimes be distinguished by the color, as when steel is 
left a very light blue, it is invariably soft and pliable. 
The best tempered hooks are left a purple-blue color. In 
japanned hooks the only reliable way of detecting faulty 
ones is to test them by sticking the point in a piece of 
porous wood or cork, and applying a heavy though steady 
strain to the shank. Our idea of a perfect Limerick salmon 
hook we give upon Plate 6, fig. 3. The distance from the 
bend to the point is greatly diminished ; the barb and 
point being short and sharp are well adapted to take good 
and firm hold upon a hard or soft substance. The main 
strength of metal, too, is just where most needed, namely, 
at the sudden turn of the bend, which, it may be ob- 
served, is not nearly so sharp or decisive as in the old 
style Limerick. Experience teaches, so says the maxim. 
Experience long since taught us that changes in this 
respect were absolutely necessary, and for an equally long 



♦Rather costly salmon flics — fifteen to sixty dollars per dozen. 



ABOUT HOOKS. 243 

period experience, the self-same teacher, has proved the 
hook now submitted to be perfectly exempt from the evils 
previously pointed out. The Kendal Sneck, to which 
we have already made some allusion, is the bend generally 
adopted for trout flies. It is often made from very fine 
wire, which renders it useless for a heavy fish. This is 
the hook most generally used for dry-fly fishing. A ju- 
diciously tapered shank will reduce the weight whilst 
retaining the full strength round the bend requisite for 
an emergency. This, as we have already pointed out, 
is of the most vital importance ; an exhibition of false 
economy in this matter will cause the angler's skill to 
avail nothing. We know of no more tantalizing thing 
than to lose the heaviest fish of the day, month, or season, 
through a defective book. When once a fish is well 
hooked upon sound "tack," it is the rodster's own fault 
if he fails to land it. A spell at the salmon will frequent- 
ly put out the delicacy of the trout fisher's touch, and 
he, by too sanguine striking, will lose every fish he hooks, 
either by breaking away the hold, or otherwise the hook. 
The range of Kendal hooks, given upon the plate, shows 
the relative strength and sizes of what we have used for 
trouting flies for many years. The Kendal hook should 
be slightly crooked or twisted in the bend, as the body 
and the hackle standing out will, to some extent, serve 
to guard the point. A great many of the short rises one 
experiences sometimes, are due to the non-observance of 
this rule, the fish taking the fly with the skin of his 
teeth, so to speak, the point fails to take any hold what- 
ever. The wide "span" of the salmon hook obviates the 
necessity of this. The trout hook then, for the same 
reason, should have reasonable scope in this respect, so 
as to be capable of taking broad hold and to retain it. 
The point and barb should be anything but "proud;" 
the evils of this are far more objectionable, whilst being 
quite as prevalent, in smaller and lighter hooks, than has 



#44 THE SCIENTIFIC AXGLEK. 

been shown in the case of the heavy Limerick. The re- 
lative weight-sustaining powers of straight-pointed and 
"rake-pointed" hooks may be exemplified in the follow- 
ing manner. Take a " rake " pointed, deeply-barbed 
Limerick, Kendal, or any other bend, and take also a 
"straight" pointed hook of the same size and strength 
of metal. Secure a length of gut to the shank of each 
hook, and stick the points slightly into a deal board, and 
now attach a spring-balance to each piece of gut, and 
pull. The staying powers of the "straight point "will 
be found to be almost double that of the others. 

The eyed hook (Plate 6, fig. 4) is a new bend, the joint 
production of Capt. Bankart, Leicester; Capt. Turle, and 
Mr. H. S. Hall, of Clifton. The bend is a sort of cross 
between the old Kirby and the Limerick. The color is of 
a light brown, like that of an ordinary steel pen. This is 
a decided improvement on the japanning system, and de- 
serves to be more generally adopted. The advantages of 
the loop at the head of a made-up artificial are consider- 
able, the loss occasioned by the gut fraying or necking 
off being greatly diminished, if not entirely obviated. 
All large or heavy flies have of necessity to be dressed 
looped. In the case of the very finest, for dry-fly or 
grayling fishing, it is scarcely so advisable, especially in 
still waters, or the chalk streams of Hampshire, where, 
as in the lower portions of those of Derby and neighbor- 
ing counties, it is absolutely necessary to float the dry fly 
over every fish. It will be seen that the loop projects 
upwards. This in a manner casts the weight upon the 
wings, and preserves the equilibrium of the "artificial." 
The gut may be attached to the loop, as in the case of 
Salmon flies, by means of the slip knot, known as the 
"Carrick bend." with this difference, that the gut is 
passed through the underside of the loop first. 

Hooks used for spinning purposes are required to be 
very heavily ironed, more especially for pike: weak trian- 



ABOUT HOOKS. 245 

gles are the rule rather than the exception. Weight here 
is no detriment but rather an advantage. In -selecting 
hooks, the weight they are required to bear should ahvays 
be taken into consideration, and the thickness of the 
wire chosen accordingly. Treble hooks for salmon and 
pike fishing in particular, are much too delicate, general- 
ly speaking. We have seen several triangles broken at 
the strike of a heavy fish. The temper of many triangles, 
or brazed hooks sold, has been affected during the brazing 
operation. The plan generally adopted over-tempers 
them, thus causing them to be hard and brittle ; and as 
two or sometimes three and more hooks have frequently 
to be driven home, the odds are that if the fish does not 
break them the rodster often does. Breakages are so rife 
in the case of brazed hooks, owing mainly to the causes 
above named, that many anglers have been led to eschew 
them altogether; but the fault lies largely with the 
angler who selects them too fine and delicate in the 
metal. 

The hooks requisite for successful roach fishing should 
be moderately long-shanked. We prefer the "Sneck" 
to the "round" or Carlisle bend, the latter being fre- 
quently too short in the shank, and having much too 
exaggerated a ' ' span " in the bend to work with a short 
shank properly. The remarks anent weak wire apply 
equally to round bend roach hooks ; and if we combine 
with the above the usual fault of a turned-out, rakish- 
looking point, no room is left for surprise at the many 
disasters incurred by their use. The greater utility of a 
well-proportioned hook may be easily ascertained by the 
following simple experiment. Take two hooks — a mod- 
erately long-shanked one nicely tapered, with a straight 
point, and a short-shanked hook with a turned-out point. 
Attach gut to each. Now procure a small piece of parch- 
ment or thin card-board, upon which take good hold with 
both hooks and endeavor to penetrate this by applying 



246 THE SCIENTIFIC ANGLER. 

equal pressure to each. If this is done at all evenly the 
long-shanked hook will quickly pierce the substance, 
making a clean incision ; meanwhile the attitude of the 
remaining hook scarcely admits of any impression being 
made at all, a perfectly flat surface being presented from 
the tip of the point to the end of the barb, which effect- 
ually prevents any incision. 

Most of the various forms or bends of the hooks now 
in use were introduced before the advent of the present 
century. Of these, however, there have since been many 
modifications and variations. One of the oldest bends is 
the "Kirby,"the originator, Charles Kirby, having lived 
and flourished in the seventeenth century. In the third 
edition of an old book on Angling, published in 1T00, 
entitled, " The Angler's Vade Mecum," — a copy of which 
we are pleased to be able to say we have in our possession 
— the following quaint advertisement appears appended 
to the preface : — 

"At the Sign of the Fish, in Black Horse Alley near 
Fleet Bridge, liveth Will Browne, who maketh all sorts 
of Fishing Rods, and selleth all sorts of Fishing Tackle ; 
also Charlie Kirby's Hooks, with Worms, Gentles and 
Fly's ; and also the East India Weed, which is the only 
thing for Trout, Carp, and Bottom Fishing, first being 
well soaked for half-an-hour before you use it in water, 
being of a brittle nature, if not moistened before used, 
and then proves so strong and fine, of a water-colour, 
that it deceives the Fish, much more than Hair or Silk. 
Note — That Kirby's Hooks are known by the fineness of 
the Wyer and Strength, and many Shops sell Counter- 
feit for his, which prove prejudicial to the User. The 
true Kirby's are to be sold by Will Browne and nowhere 
Else." 

Kirby's hooks, however, have long since been discarded, 
except in perch and such like fishing. Another hook that 
used to be greatly in vogue was the "Staple bend." 



ABOUT HOOKS. 24? 

Sproat's, too, have now about gone out.* Those in gen- 
eral use at the present day are the Sneck or Kendal, the 
Limerick, and Carlisle, or round bend ; for eels, the bend 
known as the "Shepherd's Crook," is much used. 

For fine grayling fishing, perhaps, a really strong and 
delicate hook is more essential than in any other style or 
system of angling. The grayling is a much more fastid- 
ious fish than the trout, and is moreover the most tender- 
mouthed fish that swims. It is no uncommon thing for 
the angler, when fishing for grayling, to find a portion 
of the jaw of an escaped fish remaining upon his hook ; 
more especially when rough bottom tackle is used. The 
hook useful for trout is, generally speaking, too large and 
heavy for grayling, the excessively small flies he usually 
prefers being difficult to copy when a clumsy and heavy 
hook is employed. There has long been a want felt of 
a suitable hook for grayling, to be at once light, durable, 
and effective in shape and make. Many experiments we 
have tried in years past with the view of surmounting 
this difficulty, but failure was the characteristic feature 
of each, until we accidentally hit upon a peculiar bend 
(Plate 6, fig. 5), which was found to work with unusual 
success. Conjointly with several friends of the rod, we 
have tested this hook thoroughly, and with perfectly 
satisfactory results. 

This hook has been designated the " Swan "-bend, and 
as such it is known amongst the few anglers who have 
hitherto kept it a secret. It may be gathered from what 
has been previously stated that the faults and deficiencies, 
as well as the merits of hooks, rest to a great extent with 
the manufacturer. 



* The Sproat hook, if not made of the best material is certainly a de- 
lusion and a snare — not for the fish, but the angler. When it is made 
right and of the very best material, it has in my opinion no superior. 




sp 



«> 



si 




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American Game Bird Shooting. 

By JOHN MORTIMER, MURPHY, 

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The Zoology and Resources of Oregon and Washington Territory, A Search 

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As an Agricultural State. 

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By WILLIAM E. PABOR. 

ILLUSTRATED 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



Chapter I. — Introductory. 

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" En.— Colonization in Colo- 
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" IV.— Irrigation — Measure- 
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" VI. — How Farming Pays. 
VII— Cacha-la-Poudre Val- 
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VHI— BigThompson,Little 
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" EX.— Boulder and Clear 
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4i X.— South Platte Valley. 

" XI. — Southern Colorado. 



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" XIII.— Southwestern Colo- 
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" XIV.— Artesian Wells— Res- 
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" XV.— Apiculture. 

" XVI. — Fruit Growing. 

" XVII.— Questions and An- 
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" XVIII.— Colorado Agricul- 
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" XIX.— Farming Journals. 
XX.— Cattle and Sheep. 

" ' XXL— The Railway System 
of the State. 
XXII.— Garden Culture by 
Irrigation. 



12mo. Cloth. Price, post-paid. $1.50. 



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